Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/141831
world trade centre TRADE CENTRE NETWORK OPENS DOORS FOR WINNIPEG IT TAKES A GLOBAL VILLAGE TO RAISE MANITOBA'S PROFILE IN THE LUCRATIVE WORLD OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE. That's the philosophy at the heart of World Trade Centre Winnipeg (WTC), part of a worldwide network of organizations established to help develop trade opportunities for companies in their respective parts of the globe. Officially launched at Centrallia 2012, WTC Winnipeg joins a network of 330 world trade centres in 96 countries. The launch marked the transition of Agence nationale et international du Manitoba (ANIM), Manitoba's bilingual trade agency into the WTC Winnipeg. The organization, with an expanded mandate, is led by president and CEO Mariette Mulaire, who credits the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the local business community for their support of the initiative. "WTC is an international brand that has existed for more than 20 years," Mulaire says. "It represents a network of members around the world who provide mutual support for import and export activities, with each WTC sharing the same mission and the same values." WTC Winnipeg will benefit from the extensive international trade experience and working relationships established by ANIM over the organization's five-year history. "WTC is a big plus not just for Winnipeg, but for Western Canada," Mulaire says. "Through ANIM, we were able to use bilingualism to open doors for businesses. Now, we can go from francophone markets to the world." The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce is helping the organization find a building to create a one-stop shop for the variety of services it will provide to businesses looking to connect with WTC-represented international markets. The ideal facility would become "a meeting place, connecting people with people, with room for trade-related seminars and workshops." The launch of WTC Winnipeg included the introduction of its inaugural board of directors. Members include chairperson Raymond Lafond, Andre Granger (Westeel), Bernard Clement (Pembcorp Automotive Group), Jean-Pierre Parenty (Parenty Reitmeier Inc.), Jean-Marc Ruest (Richardson International Ltd.), Alexander Malaket (Opus Advisory Services International Inc.), Don Boitson (Magellan Aerospace), Diane Gray (CentrePort Canada Inc.), Charlie Spiring (National Bank Financial Wealth Management), Leo Ledohowski (CanadInns), Fiona Webster-Mourant (Manrex Ltd.), Albert El Tassi (Peerless Garments LP) and ex-officio members David Angus (WCC) and Carole Freynet-Gagne (ANIM). World Trade Centre Winnipeg president and CEO Mariette Mulaire. Legal advice you can count on. Taxation & Estate Department Frank Lavitt, B. COMM (HONS), CGA, (HONS), LL.B., TEP Phone: (204) 988-0438 email: flavitt@tmlawyers.com Business Law Department Douglas Finkbeiner, Q.C. Phone: (204) 988-0414 email: definkbeiner@tmlawyers.com 9th Floor, 400 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 4K5 Phone: (204) 949-1312 Fax: (204) 957-0945 www.tmlawyers.com SUMMER 2013 MBiz June 2013_final.indd Sec2:g 'peg BIZ | 7 6/21/13 4:48:39 PM