A Western Australian chapter of the recently established Canadian-Australian Chamber of Commerce in Sydney will be launched at the start of next year.
Supported by Canadian-born Perth businessman Jack Cowin, the CACC will aim to increase two-way trade and investment between the two countries, which currently stands at more than $3 (trade) billion and $11 billion (investment).
First moves toward the establishment of the CACC came in late 2004, when a group of business people interested in promoting trade and investment between Australia and Canada formed a committee to establish the chamber.
A CACC spokesperson said the chamber would have a bilateral focus, pursuing unique strategies to meet its mission. These include free membership, an online library of Australia-Canada commercial resources, pro-active establishment of links between interested organisations and individuals in both countries, operation on a national basis, and the provision of a platform for organisations to promote bilateral activities.
The CACC hopes to secure the support of major corporations and will undertake a variety of fundraising activities to provide the financial backing required. Presently, Macquarie Bank and Canadian-based aircraft simulator company CAE are corporate sponsors of the CACC.
It will hold its first state meetings in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia next month.
The spokesperson said that the CACC would look to introduce a WA chapter at the beginning of 2006.
Mr Cowin, founder and chairman of Competitive Foods Australia Group, operator of Hungry Jack’s and KFC in Australia, was the keynote speaker at the Sydney launch of the chamber.
