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The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Introduces New Platform to Help Businesses Export

31 October 2019

Wendy Bretz

(Windsor, ON) October 31, 2019 - The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the launch of the Great Lakes Ready platform for its members in Windsor-Essex. Great Lakes Ready is a joint initiative with the Council of the Great Lakes Region and Magnet Export Business Portal.

In today's climate of border-less trade, companies that scale, export, and attract investment are proven to be more successful. However, it is not easy for SMEs to understand where the business opportunities are, the risks involved with exporting, or how to get help with their growth and investment strategies.

Using Magnet’s intelligent matching technology, Great Lakes Ready will help SMEs identify the right export-related services, trade missions, funding, capacity-building programs, learning resources and more. This collaborative platform will create and mobilize partnership amongst government, SMEs, financial institutions, trade specialists and business leaders from regional universities and colleges in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Region.

“The Chamber is increasingly trying to provide our members with new opportunities for growth and success. Seeing that we are a border region, it is vitally important for SMEs to be informed so they can leverage opportunities to export their products and services. The partnership with Magnet and CGLR will greatly benefit our members and thereby the region as a whole, “stated Rakesh Naidu, President and CEO of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce.

It's free for Chamber members to create an account on the Great Lakes Ready platform. To get started, please visit windsoressexchamber.magnet.today and learn more at councilgreatlakesregion.org/programs/cross-border-trade.

About the Magnet Export Business Portal

A first-of-its-kind in North America, Magnet harnesses intelligent matching technology, data and analytics to effectively connect people, businesses and organizations to opportunity. The Magnet Export Business Portal is a powerful platform designed to match relevant and timely export events and opportunities to Canadian businesses of all sizes, based on their export-readiness, sector, location and goals.

Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, the Magnet Export Business Portal harnesses resources and services from the Government of Ontario, Export Development Canada, Business Development Bank of Canada, and Global Affairs Canada, and delivers them directly to the business using push notifications and a customized dashboard. This next generation technology will simplify pathways to navigating Ontario’s trade ecosystem.

About the Council of the Great Lakes Region

The Council is a bi-national non-profit organization that is dedicated to deepening the United States-Canada relationship in the Great Lakes Region. Its focus is on creating a stronger, more dynamic culture of collaboration in harnessing the Region’s economic strengths and assets, improving the well-being and prosperity of the Region’s citizens, and protecting the Great Lakes for future generations. It achieves this mandate through policy research and programs, connecting leaders from all levels of government, industry, academia and the non-profit sector, and acting as a strong voice for the Region’s varied economic, social and environmental interests.

About the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization representing over 700 members drawn from various industry sectors including: manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, finance, and education among others. For over 143 years the Chamber has been the voice of business in Windsor-Essex promoting the needs of our members to all levels of government. Our advocacy efforts in conjunction with the Ontario and Canadian Chambers of Commerce allow real change to occur for how business is conducted in our region and across the nation. Chamber membership also includes a variety of savings programs and benefits that make doing business in Windsor-Essex more affordable. Ultimately, Chamber membership allows businesses to become part of a network of people united in working together to strengthen the region’s long-term economic vitality, business success, job creation and trade.

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For more information please contact:
Rakesh Naidu, President and CEO
Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce
519-966-3696 x222
rnaidu@windsoressexchamber.org

Or

Emily Collins, Project Coordinator
Magnet Export Business Portal
416-601-0987
e1collins@ryerson.ca