RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report entitled “Markham-Laval Economic Alliance mid
year 2005 Action Plan update ” be received,
AND THAT the Town proceed with
a one-day business mission comprising Sr. Business Development Officer, Darren
Ciastko, Project Consultant, Bertrand Walle and the option of
one member of Economic Development Committee
to Laval, October 25, 2005 at a cost of $2000.00 to be funded from within Economic
Development International & Economic Alliances capital
account #086-6900-6775-005
PURPOSE:
To present the Markham-Laval Economic Alliance mid year 2005 Action Plan
update with a focus on outlining the activities of the October business mission
to Laval.
BACKGROUND:
The Town of Markham has actively maintained an economic alliance and twinning program for
over 15 years, based on the economic development goal of fostering world-wide
trade and investment opportunities in Markham. The objective
of Markham’s Economic Alliance Program is to create a global
network of business relationships with communities and business groups in
strategic market locations and to create an international awareness of Markham’s business assets and locational
benefits.
In April of 1996, the Town initiated an Economic Alliance Agreement with
Laval, Quebec and the alliance generated only modest activity over the next six
years. The Town and Laval recognized there
was a need to improve program performance, strategically focus and operationalize
commitments to the business community.
As a result, a three year Economic Alliance program was drafted and
presented to Council for adoption. In
February of 2004 approval was given to Economic Development staff to implement a three year plan with Laval. In March 2005 staff presented
to Economic Development Committee the 2005 Markham Laval Economic Alliance
Annual Report and obtained approval to implement the 2005 action plan.
DISCUSSION:
The Laval Technopole is the economic development
body for the City of Laval. Technopole focuses the majority of its economic development
programs on 4 industry groups. They are
the AGROPOLE, BIOPOLE, e-OPOLE and Industrial Manufacturing groups.
Markham is Canada’s High-Tech capital with over 860 high-tech and life
science businesses. Markham’s economic development goal is to establish, promote
and support Markham as the best location for diverse high-tech and other
leading businesses. This is accomplished
through a comprehensive economic strategy comprised of marketing, branding,
business development and partnership development with key businesses,
institutions and governments, focussed at growing and working with the
high-tech and life science industry. As
a result, the synergy with Laval revolves
around targeting the BIOPOLE and e-POLE e-COMMERCE sectors for information
exchange and promotion during the lifetime of the alliance.
Council Approved 2005 Action Plan
The priorities for the alliance in 2005 are discussed below, and work with
respect to each point is underway.
- Enhance Internet
Website Presence and Profiling.
Staff are currently enhancing and revamping the
Economic Alliance section on the Town’s Economic Development
website and work is expected to be complete by November 2005. Special attention including increased
lobbying by Markham staff will be needed to encourage Laval
to enhance Markham’s presence on their website.
- April 18-19, 2005
Radio Frequency Identification Conference in Markham. Early in 2005
Markham Economic Development staff achieved success in promoting the event by featuring it on
the Laval Technopole homepage and events
calendar. In addition staff were able to access a
pre-qualified list of Quebec
companies to target for possible attendance at the conference. Damien Cloutier,
Assistant Director General of the Laval Technopole
participated in the conference and attended meetings with Economic Development
Staff and the Director of the Markham Board of Trade. No Laval
companies attended the conference.
- June
7, 2005 Economic Development Conference in Laval. Markham’s Chair of Economic Development, Sr. Business Development Officer, Project Consultant
to the Town and President of the Markham Board of Trade travelled to Laval to participate in the conference and meet with Laval staff to discuss alliance initiatives. The purpose of the visit
to Laval was to show
support and strengthen the alliance by participating in the conference, to
prepare the organizational groundwork for the fall business mission and to
build working relations between Markham and Laval municipal and
business leaders. As a result of our attendance, the Town is now in
a better position with Laval Technopole staff
and community leaders to accomplish our goals for the upcoming business mission.
It is also of note to report that staff facilitated an investment lead
from a Laval based
business called Kalitek looking to expand in Markham. Attempts were also made by staff and the
Markham Board of Trade to formalize a partnership with the Laval Chamber,
which has yet to materialize. It
was evident that more work from Laval and the Laval Chamber in this regard,
needs to be demonstrated.
- Fall, 2005 Business Mission
to Laval
- Planning and Program.
Refer to subsection below.
- Annual Report to Markham
Council. Staff
will present the annual report for year two of the alliance to Council in
the beginning of 2006.
October 25/05 Business Mission to Laval
An analysis of the survey data
collected from the International Alliance Profile and Export Survey found 12
interested companies. To date 7 interviews with a pre-qualified list of Markham companies have been conducted for the mission. The
information collected has been used to prepare specific business profiles that
have been shared with Laval Technopole staff to coordinate
the mission program.
On October 25, 2005 it is our intent to lead a minimum of 5 Markham businesses on a mission to Laval. The goal of the mission is to help participating Markham companies
achieve any one or more of the following objectives; market research, secure market
representation, a sales agent, distributor, licensor/licensee, joint venture
partner, financial partner, outsourcing opportunities or contract management
opportunities. In addition, we will provide
contacts and access to R&D sources, technical assistance joint distribution
or to assist Markham companies sell
products/services to the Laval market. Economic Development staff and Laval Technopole staff will work together to prepare a mission
agenda and coordinate appointments with Laval companies to achieve the
mission objectives.
To date, four
Markham based companies have confirmed their desire to
participate in the business mission.
They are R. Moroz Ltd., Say What Communications
Corp, Vital Connex and Global Advantage International. The Markham Board of Trade has agreed to
promote the mission to its members and additional meetings are currently being
scheduled with Chungho Canada, Voicegate
Corporation and Cygnal Technologies.
Based on
responses from the additional interviews and interest from the Markham Board of
Trade broadcast, in mid September Economic Development staff will make a decision
to either execute the business mission program or cancel should there be
insufficient interest.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Financial approval to implement the
action plan inclusive of the business mission for year two of the Economic
Alliance Cooperation Plan with Laval was
granted through the 2005 Capital Budget process. Costs of the mission for 2 or 3 Markham representatives will not exceed $2000.
Calculations
·
Airfare Toronto – Montreal return $1,500
(3 x $500 approx)
·
Meals and
Meeting expenses $ 200
·
Transportation
inland $ 150
·
Gifts $ 100
·
Miscellaneous
expenses $ 50
Estimated Total $2,000
The expenses are to be funded
through Economic
Development International
and Economic Alliances capital account # 086-6900-6775-005.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:
none
ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:
none
ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:
The activities of the 2005 Laval Economic
Cooperation Plan are in alignment with the Town’s corporate goal of Economic Development – to establish, promote and support Markham as the best location for
diverse high-tech and related business.
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
none
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Stephen Chait, Director of Economic
Development
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Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development
Services
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Y:\Economic Development\Stephen\Economic
Development\2005 Reports\Laval Alliance Year 2 Mid year update.Sept 20 2005.doc
