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FCDA to join Perdue on Canada trade mission

The Fayette County Development Authority recently accepted an invitation to join Gov. Sonny Perdue as he leads a delegation of Georgia economic development and business executives to Canada for meetings with government officials and business leaders July 26-28. The trip will provide an update on Georgia’s candidacy to become the headquarters of the Free Trade Area of the Americas and also will explore new opportunities for increasing trade, investment and tourism in Georgia.

“Georgia has always enjoyed a special relationship with Canada and our visits there are always profitable and enjoyable,” said Perdue. “More than 100 Canadian companies have established operations in Georgia, and products made and grown in our state are very popular in Canada. This is just another way we can make sure Canadians continue to think of Georgia for trade and investment, tourism and business.”

Also joining the delegation will be the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Commissioner Craig Lesser.

“Georgia’s bid for the FTAA Secretariat provides an opportunity to highlight our strong global corporate base, ideal geographic positioning within the hemisphere, and our superior transportation, convention and tourism infrastructures,” said Lesser. “This trip will remind our Canadian neighbors about Georgia’s vast amount of resources and vibrant corporate structure, which will help to facilitate increased trade and investment between Georgia and Canada.”

The FTAA Secretariat headquarters will be the crossroads for trade and business connections for the entire Western Hemisphere, providing its host city with approximately 11,000 new jobs and $5000 million in annual investment.

Georgia has had a thriving relationship with Canada since 1972. In 2004, Canada was the state’s top trading partner with $4.2 billion in exports, which is approximately one-fifth of the state’s total exports. There are 117 Canadian-owned companies currently operating in Georgia, two of which are in Fayette County. Initiatives such as the FTAA give Georgia increased exposure in the hemisphere, allowing business opportunities to continuously grow.

“This is exactly the type of trip we want to be a part of, and we’re appreciative of Gov. Perdue’s invitation,” said Randy Hayes, FCDA Chairman. “We’re proud of the Canadian businesses already in Fayette, and we hope to capitalize on this trip by highlighting our community’s business-friendly atmosphere.”

Traveling to Canada will be Development Authority President and CEO Brian Cardoza and Zaheer Faruqi, co-founder and president of Aventure Aviation, an aviation marketing and support company. During the three-day trip, they will meet with companies interested in doing business in Fayette County, as well as have the opportunity to promote Aventure Aviation’s services to interested companies.