Mar 19, 2018

Wally Szwez with Pieter De Crem the Belgian Secretary of State for Foreign Trade.

NMMA Canada member, Walter Szwez of Canada Metal (Pacific) Ltd.,/Dock Edge recently attended a gala event hosted by the Canadian Government for the Belgian Royal family and business leaders. This event was hosted to demonstrate the success and the establishment of new business relationships now that CETA is being signed.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canada is the national association representing the recreational boating industry in Canada. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by North American boaters. There are nearly 5000 businesses in the core of the industry from manufacturers, dealers, marinas and service providers, with the industry generating $10 billion in revenues and a GDP of $5.6 million. In Canada, the industry employs over 75,000 people across the country and it is estimated that approximately 12.4 million adult Canadians go boating every year.

NMMA Canada has received more than $200,000 in funding from Global Opportunities for Associations (GOA) to support the efforts of Canadian recreational marine manufacturers to expand their business into new markets over the last several years. GOA provides contribution funding to support national associations undertaking new or expanded international business development activities for the benefit of an entire industry.  This funding has helped numerous Canadian companies exhibit at boat and trade shows around the world.

The funding from GOA, along with CanExport (which provides financial support for small or medium sized firm’s development of new export opportunities), has given companies like Dock Edge + Inc. and Canada Metal Pacific the ability to have increased access to the European market. Thanks to their partnership with Belgian company Zingametall, built through export development, Walter Szwez of Dock Edge + Inc., attended an event in Ottawa on March 13 with a Belgian delegation as part of a trade mission. Members of this delegation also visited the Dock Edge + Inc. facility in Woodbridge.  All of this would not be possible without export development support.

NMMA Canada supports GOA, CanExport and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) which has allowed for greater exporting opportunities to Europe and around the world and goes a long way in benefitting Canadian companies to help showcase their products. We hope that the Canadian government continues to support these programs which have benefitted so many in our industry. 

We are pleased that the Belgian delegation came to Canada for this trade mission and welcome more opportunities for Canadian companies to build relationships with worldwide partners.