Sarnia and Lambton County have been designated by a federal company as one of many nation’s few overseas commerce zones, opening the door to varied packages to assist industries within the area faucet into export markets.
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Sarnia and Lambton County have been designated by a federal company as one of many nation’s few overseas commerce zones, opening the door to varied packages to assist industries within the area faucet into export markets.
The digital announcement – made Tuesday by native officers and Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Financial Improvement and Official Languages - means companies within the Sarnia space will profit from simpler entry to federal authorities packages. commerce incentive, together with gross sales tax reduction and customs responsibility deferral on the border.
“That is unbelievable information for Sarnia-Lambton,” stated Allan Calvert, CEO of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce, who led a neighborhood effort to safe the group’s designation.
Companies within the Sarnia space will even obtain additional help from the federal authorities, together with mentorship from skilled exporters and academic packages.
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“The overseas commerce level designation will simplify entry to import and export packages and cut back crimson tape,” stated Stephen Thompson, common supervisor of the Sarnia-Lambton Financial Partnership. “It’s going to additionally speed up entry to info for companies seeking to benefit from alternatives throughout our area.”
The designation follows greater than three years of labor by the Sarnia Chamber of Commerce and a neighborhood committee, in addition to the federal financial growth company, FedDev Ontario, Thompson stated.
“The designation is an important a part of persevering with to develop and diversify the native economic system.”
An internet site for the brand new native procuring space is anticipated to launch later Tuesday, Thompson stated.
“The area has at all times been a significant hyperlink for commerce between Canada and the US,” stated Lambton Director Kevin Marriott. “This announcement builds on the strengths of the area and will increase our aggressive benefit.”
The world is thought to have “distinctive transportation infrastructure” together with the Blue Water Bridge, Canada’s second busiest border crossing for business site visitors, and a “strong” rail system, together with the CN tunnel underneath the St. Clair River, he stated.
“The International Commerce Zone leverages these strengths and raises Sarnia-Lambton’s profile as a world commerce hub,” Marriott stated.
Lalonde stated different areas in Ontario embrace Sault Ste. Marie, Hamilton, Niagara and Windsor. In complete, there are 16 overseas commerce zones throughout the nation.
“The most recent level (of the overseas commerce zone) in Sarnia – Lambton will present many alternatives for commerce and entrepreneurship within the area,” stated Lalonde.