Business

Statistics

• GDP: US$1.1 trillion (2005).
• Main exports: Motor vehicles and parts, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, aluminum, telecommunications equipment, aircraft, plastics and electricity.
• Main imports: Machinery and equipment, crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer goods and electricity.
• Main trade partners: China, France, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, UK and USA.

Economy

Canada is the seventh-largest trading nation and a member of the G8 group of major industrial economies. The country has immense natural resources and a high standard of living.

Agriculture and fisheries are particularly important; Canada exports more than half of its agricultural produce (principally grain and oil seeds) and is the world’s leading exporter of fish. Timber is another important sector, given that more than 40% of the land area is forest.

As a mineral producer, Canada exports crude oil and natural gas, copper, nickel, zinc, iron ore, asbestos, cement, coal and potash. Energy requirements are met by a mixture of hydroelectric (two-thirds), nuclear and oil-fired generating stations. Manufacturing covers a wide range of industries from heavy engineering and chemicals to vehicle production and agro-business to office automation and commercial printing.

After running a substantial trade deficit throughout much of the 1990s, Canada now enjoys a net trade surplus. Slightly more than 75% of the country’s trade is with the USA, making this the world’s largest single bilateral trade route.

The 1989 free trade agreement signed with the USA formed the basis for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); Mexico has joined as the third signatory and other Latin American countries may sign up in due course.

Business Etiquette

Usual courtesies observed, including exchange of business cards and making appointments.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

Business Contacts

Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Head Office, Delta Office Tower, 350 Sparks Street, Suite 501, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7S8, Canada
Tel: (613) 238 4000.
Website: www.chamber.ca

Canada-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce in the UK
38 Grosvenor Street, London W1K 4DP, UK
Tel: (020) 7258 6576 or 6578 (trade information service; enquiries cost £10 plus VAT for non-members).
Website: www.canada-uk.org

Conferences & Conventions

All the major business centres, such as Calgary, Edmonton, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver, offer extensive convention and conference facilities. For general information on conferences and conventions in Canada, contact the Meetings and Incentive Officer at the Canadian High Commission (see Contact Addresses). Consult the individual provinces/territories sections for more information.

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