The Town of Halton Hills is gearing up to send a maximum of two staff members on a foreign trade mission to Germany and the Netherlands.
The trip will take place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12 and will be conducted by members of the Town’s Business, Environment and Culture department. According to the Town, no council members are going on the trip.
“Future missions may also include political representation, with the additional goal to explore potential broader community-to-community partnerships,” Commissioner of Business, Environment and Culture Damian Szybalski told HaltonHillToday in an emailed statement.
“The first mission is business-focused and will lay the foundation for future investments and solidify international relationships,” Szybalski added. “Subsequent missions will likely be needed to sustain momentum, continue to elevate Halton Hills’ profile as a prime investment destination, and to help ensure that investment leads translate into investments.”
The Town took a similar trip to Wenjiang, China in 2016. Mayor Rick Bonnette secured a letter of intent from the Chinese to establish friendly relations, a so-called “twinning” agreement. Some council members answered tough questions on the cost of the trip during a 2018 election debate.
The Town has set the budget for this trip at $8,000 per person, with approximately 50 per cent of that to be covered by an external grant.
When asked where the grant originated from, the Town declined to comment.
Szybalski added that the Town’s portion of the money is coming from the “budget available to implement the Economic Development and Tourism Strategy.”
The Town hopes to meet with various German and Dutch delegates and stakeholders. Staff says between five and 10 pre-qualified business meetings are planned in each market.
“Complementing these pre-qualified meetings, will be targeted meetings with key intermediaries and investment decision influencers in Halton Hills’ priority sectors,” said Szybalski.
"This may include meetings with embassy/consulate officials, local business organizations, trade commissioners, and attendance at the Smart Product Solutions Drives Advanced Manufacturing Tradeshow in Nuremberg, Germany.”
The commissioner said according to the Conference Board of Canada, it's estimated that every $1 spent on foreign direct investment generates about $3.20 in total economic output.
Further details on the venture are outlined in a memo received at Monday night’s council meeting.
