I.E.Canada 2009 Survey results highlighted our strengths and showed us where we need to go.

Unprecedented economic challenges, rapidly changing global trade patterns and competition from around the globe have presented Canada’s trade community with unique opportunities and problems.

As an association, I.E.Canada will continue to address the issues facing Canada’s importers and exporters, and work with members of the international trade community to ensure that members have the tools and knowledge needed to thrive. Through our recent member survey, I.E.Canada members have confirmed our mission, highlighted our strengths and showed us where they need us to go.

Membership Profile
I.E.Canada’s membership reflects the integrated nature of those that are engaged in trade. Membership diversity remains a key strength. The largest member category is manufacturers, representing 44% of respondents. In terms of trade activity, 40% of those responding were “primarily both importing and exporting”, with the majority of members in Ontario. 

Of our members:
46% have over 1000 employees
30% have between 100 and less than 1000 employees
23% have under 100 employees

Members bring knowledge of various sectors and offer expertise in customs, supply chain issues and finance. They bring insight and understanding to the implications of economic turbulence and to the impacts of new regulations.

I.E.Canada members are managing complexity in their day-to-day business operations:

• 50% of respondents require import permits or have controlled goods.
• 24% have licensing fees or pay royalties for imported goods.
• 45% of respondents require export permits.

International Trade
Trade agreements continue to be of interest to our members. Reflecting the importance of the U.S. as our major trading partner, 98% of members still view NAFTA as important. A slight increase of 5%, with a total to 52%, rate the Canada European Free Trade agreement (EFTA) as being of interest. In third place, increasing from last year is the Canada-Israel FTA (30%), displacing last year’s third place Canada-Chile (CCFTA) which earned 27%.

Advocacy
Our members live the rules and regulations governing trade. Government programs are becoming increasing complicated and restrictive, often losing focus on the business of trade. Members have identified their top advocacy concerns. In keeping with last year’s survey, Partners in Protection (PIP) and AMPS held the first and second spots as the top two advocacy concerns for our members. Third was ACI Phase III/eManifest, which ranked fourth last year. Customs Self Assessment (CSA), which was fifth last year, ranked as number 4 this year. The number five concern for 2009 was U.S. Customs or Import Requirements, which was not ranked last year.

Issues that members would like to see I.E.Canada address include trade policy negotiations, followed by border infrastructure, trucking issues, rail issues and the national transportation policy.

I.E.Canada would like to thank all members who completed survey. If I.E.Canada is to remain the leader and the voice of trade, active and engaged members who are willing to share their issues, concerns, experience and expertise are critical. Thank you.

If you would like a detailed report of the survey findings please feel free to contact Amesika Baeta at abaeta@iecanada.com

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• Upcoming Committe Meetings & Events
• Ensuring Compliance- Highway eManifest & Customs Changes in 2010
• 5th Annual Food Forum
• 7th Annaul Western Canada Conference
• The Customs Duty and International Trade Course
• Importing Into Canada

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Disclaimer - I.E.Now is designed to provide members with the most up-to-date trade information from a variety of sources. The information we feature does not necessarily reflect the association's opinion on a given international trade issue. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information notedin the daily e-mail, government policies are constantly evolving. The Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters Inc. cannot assume any responsibility for actions taken solely or principally on the basis of the information provided.