For Yewande Olubowale, international trade has always been about more than transactions—it’s also about how trade drives the global economy as a whole.

As a Trade Advisor at the World Trade Centre Winnipeg, she helps Manitoba businesses navigate the intricate pathways of  international markets, combining her experience in trade finance with a passion for helping others thrive internationally.

Two areas initially spurred her interest in international trade: Treasury and Trade Services.

“I was particularly drawn to the dynamic nature of cross-border transactions, which combines finance, logistics, and risk mitigation strategies. I found it fascinating to help businesses navigate these complexities.”

Finding purpose in the flow of global commerce

After university, Yewande began her professional journey in banking through a three-month graduate training program. Her early years in this industry honed her ability to blend financial acumen with international trade strategies, whether for risk mitigation, logistics, or cross-border transactions.

She was able to apply this learning later in her career while working as an international trade professional for FBNQuest Merchant Bank, where she drove digital transformation that garnered major results.

Using innovation and insight to move countries forward

One of Yewande’s most defining achievements was her role as a delegate representing FBNQuest Merchant Bank on a national transformation initiative led by the Central Bank of Nigeria. As part of the electronic Certificate of Capital Importation (eCCI) automation project, she was entrusted by her employer to support the CBN’s initiative of translating regulatory intent into a functional, scalable digital process.

She details, “The CCI is a document that verifies an investor’s foreign direct capital investment into Nigeria, this could be in the form of cash, goods, equity, or debt. This project transitioned the process from paper-based documentation to a streamlined digital system, significantly improving the facilitation of foreign investments, capital repatriation, and regulatory compliance in international trade.”

Through this work, Yewande contributed immensely to the modernization of a critical national trade infrastructure, reducing friction for foreign investors and strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s capital inflow processes.

It also highlighted Yewande’s ability to bridge innovation with  trad finance regulations—all core elements of her career success.

A creative mindset to solve complex challenges in the oil and gas sector

Later in her career, Yewande took on the role of Trade Services Officer, exposing her to a wider range of industries and increasing complex transactions. . One of her most memorable experiences required  her to use her problem solving and deep trade finance knowledge to enable  the export of crude oil for a corporate client.

“The transaction was challenging due to the complexities of the oil and gas industry, regulatory controls  and the high value of the shipments. To mitigate payment risk, I coordinated a letter of credit between the buyer and seller and worked with local and international parties, including customs authorities, shipping agents, and our correspondent banks.”

Navigating both the commercial and regulatory hurdles of the trade, the export was executed successfully and payment was received on time, strengthening the client’s relationship with the buyer.

“This experience highlighted the crucial role of trade finance in the oil and gas sector and the bank’s impact on the industry.”

It also highlights the importance of creative problem solving in international trade.

Opening doors through trade show readiness

While working as a Trade Advisor at the World Trade Centre Winnipeg, Yewande supported a Manitoba based jeweller preparing to exhibit her collections at an international trade show. The business owner was unsure how to take high value pieces abroad for display without selling them, and how to navigate the customs and regulatory requirements involved.

Yewande provided clear guidance on the applicable trade and customs rules ensuring the jewelleries could be transported, exhibited and returned without compliance issues. She also identified export support programs relevant to the client’s business and worked closely with the entrepreneur to strengthen her trade show readiness.

Beyond the exhibition itself, Yewande introduced the business to industry partners and trade networks to help expand its reach as well as open doors to future opportunities, giving the jeweller the support required to navigate confidently into global markets.

Yewande says:

“Successful international trade isn’t just about getting into new markets; it’s about understanding the rules so businesses can grow internationally with confidence”.

A commitment to learning and leadership

For Yewande, professional growth is rooted in continuous learning. Her decision to pursue FITTskills international trade training came from a desire to strengthen her technical knowledge and keep pace with the rapidly changing global trade environment. Her goal was to improve her service offering to the Manitoba businesses that are taking organizational and financial risks everyday by growing their operations internationally

“It was an enriching experience,” she says.

“I appreciated the real-life examples provided in the courses, which offered valuable insights into practical situations in international trade. The courses served as a great refresher, enhancing my ability to provide knowledgeable advice to the clients I support including international pricing strategies, market research reports, and international regulations, to name a few.”

Yewande offers sound advice to new professionals in the field of international trade: take bold steps.

She clarifies, “By thinking beyond immediate challenges and focusing on long-term goals, you can make more strategic decisions that lead to sustained growth and success.”

A favourite: The value of the Global Value Chain course

Yewande’s favourite FITTskills course was Global Value Chain. To her, the course gave her valuable insight into the complexities her clients face in their global operations.

“It was highly engaging and provided a comprehensive breakdown of supply chain operations, along with strategies for managing the risks of doing business across borders.”

Through this training, she has been able to bring even greater value to her role at the World Trade Centre Winnipeg—equipping entrepreneurs and exporters with strategies that help them expand confidently into international markets.

Earning the CITP: A milestone of mastery

Motivated by her passion for growth and supported by her employer, Yewande pursued Certified International Trade Professional (CITP^®|FIBP^®) designation.

“I applied for the CITP designation driven by my commitment to continuous learning and added value service to my clients, which aligns with my professional goals and career growth,” she shares, adding “I am grateful to my current employer, WTC Winnipeg, for supporting my aspirations and investing in my professional development.”

For Yewande, earning the CITP was more than an academic milestone—it was a symbol of her professional evolution.

“Earning the CITP designation is another feather in my cap and a truly rewarding experience that motivates me to continue striving for excellence. It reaffirms my commitment to ongoing professional development and further deepening my expertise in international trade.”

“I’m proud of my career growth, not only for my benefit but also that of the Manitoba businesses that I am privileged to work with at World Trade Centre Winnipeg.”

Looking ahead: Building stronger trade ecosystems

Today, as she continues advising Manitoba businesses on international expansion, Yewande sees the CITP as a bridge to new possibilities. “I believe the CITP designation is a valuable asset for advancing my career, as it will enhance my professional credibility and enable me to better serve the businesses I support,” she explains.

The designation also strengthens her connection to a global community of trade professionals.

“It provides opportunities to build a strong network across the international trade ecosystem, allowing me to collaborate with industry leaders and help drive growth within the trade sector.”

With great achievements already under her belt, Yewande is already making an impact in the trade sector, and with her strong growth mindset we can’t wait to see what the future brings.

The post CITP Spotlight: Yewande Olubowale, Trade Advisor at WTC Winnipeg appeared first on Trade Ready.

For over 15 years, Jason Fischer has worked in high-level positions for some of the biggest companies in Canada, dealing with massive rail shipping networks and other forms of transportation.

While he’s come a long way in his career since his first trade-related job as a part-time ramp attendant at the Calgary International Airport, his enthusiasm has remained as vivid as ever.

“One of the highlights of my career has been the chance to see all different types of aircraft up close, especially some of the massive cargo jets like the freight MD-11s, or anything made by Antonov.”

Making container cargo more efficient, and new friends along the way

In 2001, Jason began working at Mark’s Work Wearhouse as their Operations Manager, taking responsibility for all textiles coming into the country.

“I was responsible for the offshore cargoes that were imported into Canada. The majority of the import traffic was containerized and arrived by sea. It was in this capacity that I was instrumental in developing an Inland Container Depot (ICD) to ensure that our breakdown terminal had enough containers over the course of the day. We used metrics to determine how many containers and staff would be required to manage it. So we engineered a timeline and volume that produced the most efficient results for the capacity of the facility and manpower.”

He excelled over the course of his seven years at the company, and claims one of the main reasons is that he was unafraid to ask questions and never stop learning.

“There are no lone rangers in this occupation – do not be afraid to reach out and ask questions or for help – because one day you will be providing the answers as well.”

He also discovered that reaching out could lead to fun cultural experiences, such as one instance where he got to meet and greet the crew of a container vessel and eat dinner with its captain in Vancouver.

“The crew was largely from Bangladesh and the dinner represented that region of the world. It was a unique experience that expanded my world view.”

Building his skills with formal training and certification

Beginning in 2004, Jason also sought to add to his knowledge by taking the FITTskills online courses. He completed his final course to earn his FITT Diploma in International Trade in 2007. Jason credits the courses with helping him to thoroughly assess his existing level of international trade knowledge and fill in some crucial gaps.

Taking the FITTskills courses allowed me to benchmark my learning and establish greater credibility for my abilities and skills.

“I also really enjoyed completing a project for one of the courses on exporting hay from Alberta to Japan. I ended up gaining a whole new appreciation for the breadth of international trade – and, coincidentally, also discovered I’m allergic to hay!”

Shortly after earning his FITT Diploma, Jason applied for and earned his CITP®|FIBP® designation. He has now maintained his designation for over a decade, having witnessed the positive impact it has had on his career ever since.

“I initially applied for the designation so I could be part of FITT, an organization that has been at the forefront of trade and development for many years. Earning it was a defining accomplishment in my life, and I’m very proud of it.”

“Obtaining my CITP designation was instrumental in my career progression as it benchmarked my experience and provided me with credibility in the workplace. My designation has since opened doors to new employment opportunities, and given me the confidence to contribute more within the international trade field by mentoring others.”

New challenges mean travel opportunities and innovative solutions to transportation questions

While he enjoyed his time with Mark’s Work Wearhouse, a major life change in 2008 prompted a change in priorities that resulted in a new job for Jason.

“My life changed dramatically when my wife and I adopted a boy from the United States. I was in need of a change as my role and responsibilities at Mark’s included a lot of travel. With all the effort of adopting – I didn’t want to be a passive father – so after much thought I transitioned to Canadian Pacific Railway.”

He spent the next five years working his way up through the organization, starting as a Transportation Manager Trainee and fitting into many different roles before reaching the position of Chief Train Dispatcher. While the role involved shift work in a 24/7 environment, it also gave him more opportunities to spend time with his son, which made a big difference for him.

He then briefly worked in CP’s Fuel Optimization Group, before finally moving to a role as Service Delivery Analyst – Carload, scheduling private rail car fleets for CP customers. One of the customers he scheduled for was Diageo, one of the world’s largest alcoholic beverage company, which opened some doors for unique experiences.

“Because of my relationship with Diageo, I was able to go to Gimli, MB and tour the Crown Royal distillery, which was a highlight for me. I also helped them transition to Lakeland Rail Road as CP decommissioned the rail line between Sellkirk, MB and Gimli, MB. A co-operative of farmers and investors, with a grant from the provincial and federal governments, provided financing for a Short Line Rail Road to ensure that businesses like Diageo, that needed that transportation, would still be viable.”

Honing his rail expertise with two massive multinationals

When CP embarked upon major structural changes, Jason realized that his position might require him to relocate, so he began looking for other work and started at JPMorgan Chase scheduling rail transport of crude oil.

Not long after starting there, however, his office was purchased by another company, which involved restructuring that eliminated his position. Fortunately, he was recommended for a position as Crude Oil Scheduler with Shell, and has now worked there since September 2014.

On top of managing the rail cargo, Jason has made major strides within the company to improve their reporting and scheduling and consolidate it into a single easy-to-use dashboard.

“I began to realize very early that one of my main jobs was managing people’s expectation of rail. In order to do this I was able to take multiple reports and distribution lists and combine them into a central location. I talked to many of the stakeholders and basically created one reporting dashboard that had all the data that everyone was requesting. I also leveraged technology to develop reporting specifically for crude rail, and this created a stable platform to do scheduling duties.”

Equally proud of his accomplishments and excited for what’s still to come, Jason is thriving in a career he excels in and enjoys. As he continues to find new solutions to old problems or enjoy the unique experiences that arise for many global business professionals, his training and CITP®|FIBP® designation will continue to play an important part in his career development and the success he achieves along the way.

The post Jason Fischer, CITP|FIBP – Crude Oil Scheduler appeared first on Trade Ready.

Matthew Davis, CITP|FIBP is the Manager, Contract Development for CEDA International in Calgary, a major services company to the oil and gas, energy and mining company.

He has been honing his sales and business development skills for nearly ten years now and has spent the past four years rising through the ranks at CEDA.

Finding the right path to the career he wanted

While global business wasn’t Matthew’s first choice as a career path, he quickly realized it was the direction he wanted his career to take and adjusted his education accordingly.

“I was originally a science student in university, but quickly determined that a science-dedicated career was not for me. I searched for a new program to enrol in and settled on International Business at Nova Scotia Community College. This program offered FITTskills courses, which began my training.”

He credits the FITTskills courses with opening his eyes to all of the potential opportunities his future career had to offer and his readiness to take on new challenges around the world.

These courses prepare you for a wider view of what the business world can offer, not just domestically. My favorite course was International Trade Management as it makes you focus on your target clients’ background and country, in addition to their interests. This is a great set of skills for any potential business person.

This education was followed by an internship with a local Nova Scotia manufacturer who was engaged in international business.

Establishing his professional expertise with real-world experience

Shortly after graduating in 2007, Matthew began working for ROMOR Ocean Solutions, a company based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia specializing in ocean instrumentation and equipment.

Serving as the Technical Sales and Marketing Manager, he quickly began increasing business, acquiring new clients and expanding the company’s global footprint. He particularly enjoyed the travel components.

“Many of my favourite stories from my career are of travelling through the U.S. and Europe, and engaging with many diverse cultures around the world.”

Over the next five years, his efforts paid off resulting in a wider international distribution network for the company than ever before. By the time he left the company in 2012, they were represented in over 30 countries.

Ready to take on new challenges, Matthew decided to move across Canada, accepting a role as Business Development Manager with CEDA in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Rising through the hierarchy to become an elite global business professional

He shone in the role, responsible for improving current business and finding new clients for the company in the oil sands region, and earned a promotion to Site Director in less than a year. This promotion gave him the opportunity to take charge of all business development, client relationships and account management for the Fort McMurray area.

By March 2015, he earned yet another promotion to his current role in Calgary, where he works with CEDA clients from across Canada and international markets. Now managing all negotiations with clients, he also oversees the contract development team and ensures all conditions, liabilities, and risks are handled properly.

With several years of experience and his courses under his belt, Matthew decided to apply for the elite CITP®|FIBP® designation to prove his skills and expertise in his industry.

Pursuing the designation shows employers you have the dedication and background to lead within their organizations, not just participate.

He says that having earned the designation makes him feel “very accomplished”. He hopes that it also serves as a strong indication of his desire to continue to grow and learn in his career.

“In the future, I plan to continue to increase my knowledge on key aspects of international business and trade.”

We look forward to seeing his continued career success and the many exciting accomplishments that lay ahead of him.

The post Matthew Davis, CITP|FIBP – Manager, Contract Development appeared first on Trade Ready.

The town of Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada made international news headlines in May, as a massive wildfire damaged homes and buildings.

While the wildfires still burn uncontrolled on nearly 580,000 hectares, the approximately 100,000 people displaced by the wildfires were allowed to return to Fort McMurray and the nearby oil sands operations beginning June 1.

It is obvious that the wildfire, the largest natural disaster in Canadian history, will have a major economic impact on the area. Early estimates put the cost of property damage between $2.3 and $7 billion USD. Businesses have been closed and residents have been forced out of work.

What may be less obvious, however, is the impact the wildfires have had, and will continue to have, on the international economy, particularly in the oil markets.

Wildfires halt oil operations

Just north of Fort McMurray sit oil sands that contribute to Canada’s oil reserves, the third largest globally. As the wildfires raged and winds blew unpredictably, oil producers in the area — including Suncor, Syncrude, Shell, Canadian Natural Resources and Husky — were forced to cease operations and evacuate employees.

For more than two weeks, the oil sands operations were forced to close. That prevented the production of an estimated 1 million barrels of oil each day.

That number is particularly significant for the U.S., which would have received the majority of the exported oil. Each day, Canada exports 3.5 million barrels of crude to the U.S. According to said Michael Green, spokesman for U.S. travel organization AAA:

In recent years, U.S. refiners have increasingly relied on Canadian imports. Midwestern refineries in particular have changed their production methods to take advantage of heavy Canadian crude oil.

Overall, the wildfires reduced Canada’s oil output by an estimated 16 percent daily.

With that, Goldman Sachs estimated 14 million barrels would be lost in oil production due to the wildfire-driven oil sands closures. That equates to more than $751 million in lost oil exports.

Disruption bolsters oil prices

As the wildfires burned, Brent crude oil prices soared above $50 per barrel for the first time in 2016. That’s especially remarkable, as the price was down to a 13-year low of $28 per barrel in February.

Crude oil prices have suffered for the last year and a half, largely due to an excess global oil production of 1.3 million barrels per day. With the Canadian wildfires, pipelines damaged by attacks in Nigeria, and instability in Venezuela and Iraq, that excess in production has been eliminated.

With the decline in production, 30 million barrels of oil had to be brought out of storage hubs to meet demand.

While the world has a record oil reserve of 4.5 billion barrels, the decline in production won’t lead to oil shortages, but it is expected to keep oil prices above $50 per barrel for the remainder of the year. Some analysts have predicted prices could even reach $60 per barrel this year.

How high the Canadian wildfires will bolster crude oil prices remains to be seen.

In a report, financial group Raymond James noted the true effects of the disruption in Canadian production wouldn’t truly be felt in the crude oil market for weeks, because of the time it takes crude oil to travel through pipelines and into the U.S.

Given the material improvement we have already seen to supply-demand dynamics globally, we believe it is likely that much more sizeable storage draws could materialize over the next 3 to 4 weeks.

Higher oil prices: the fallout

The rise in oil prices is being welcomed by many, as the previously low prices were regarded as unsustainable.

For consumers in Canada and the U.S., the higher crude oil prices equate to higher gas prices at the pump. While prices usually peak in early summer, prices could continue to rise or remain high throughout the summer instead of tapering off, analysts said.

On a positive note, analysts have also said that the higher oil prices could lead to increased investments in oil production and the oil industry, which have waned in previous months.

An April report from the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers revealed that the oil and gas industry had seen a 62 percent drop in capital investment, and a drop of 66 percent in the amount of new oil wells drilled over the last two years.

Impacts on the Canadian economy

Of course, for the Canadian economy, the impact of the Alberta wildfires is more acute.

With the drastic cuts in oil production, the loss of business and the destruction of homes and buildings, the Bank of Canada predicted that Canada’s second quarter GDP will contract by 1.25 percent. Before the wildfires were sparked, the Bank of Canada had predicted modest 1 percent growth for the Canadian economy from April to June.

For both the global and Canadian economies, the impact from the wildfires is expected to be relatively short lived. As residents and businesses move back in and rebuild, and oil companies resume production, the economy should also regain its normal operation by the end of this year, analysts said.

The post Canadian wildfires are having a global effect on oil prices appeared first on Trade Ready.

When U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Washington with a much-publicized state dinner, the two expressed a warm, collaborative relationship.

After trading friendly jabs about hockey and the weather, the two got down to business and discussed, among several issues, how to streamline trade and border crossings between the two nations.

For many, this signalled a warming trend in trade relations between the Canada and the U.S., which had been cooling over contentious issues such as the rejected Keystone XL Pipeline project.

Canada is no longer the top market for American trade

As allies and neighbours along the world’s longest shared border, Canada and the United States have become inextricably linked over the course of a relationship that spans more than two centuries. Politically, culturally and economically, the two countries remain tied to one another.

For decades, Canada and the U.S. have enjoyed the largest trade relationship in the world. Two-way trade more than tripled in the years since the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement was implemented in 1989.

NAFTA superseded the agreement in 1994, taking trade between the two nations to greater heights, amounting to an impressive $2.4 billion per day in 2014, and supporting almost 9 million U.S. jobs.

Unfortunately for Canada, trade with the U.S. seems to be on the decline. Trade between the two countries totaled an estimated $662.7 billion in 2015, down from US$760 billion in goods and services in 2014.

In November 2015, China surpassed Canada for the first time as the biggest trading partner to the U.S., bumping Canada down to second place.

And China isn’t the only country vying for first place and expanding trade with America. Mexico is steadily gaining ground in trade with their NAFTA neighbour, trading more with the U.S. than Canada did in September 2015.

Impact of blundering energy sector being felt

A major contributor to the recent drop in trade with the U.S. is the floundering energy sector. The U.S. is by far the biggest customer for Canada’s exports in natural gas, oil and hydropower.

In 2010, almost 100% of Canada’s energy exports went to the country’s southern neighbour, a huge chunk of total Canadian exports into the U.S.

This dynamic is in a transitional period due to America’s expansion in their own tight oil and shale gas production, and a forecasted decrease in oil and natural gas consumption in the coming years.

The decision to block the proposed Keystone XL pipeline may also prove to have negative effects on the two nations’ trade in oil going forward.

Still no resolution in the most contentious trade dispute

Another sticking point in Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S. has been the ongoing softwood lumber dispute.  The dispute is one of the lengthiest disagreements the two countries have faced in modern history.

About 80% of the global lumber industry is made up of trade in wood from conifers, or softwood. Disagreements over the softwood lumber trade between the two states began in the 1980s and have not since been satisfactorily resolved.

In the latest agreement, implemented in 2006, the U.S. agreed to drop anti-dumping tariffs as long as lumber prices remained at an acceptable level. This agreement was set to expire in 2012, but was then extended for another two years.

Neither country is happy with the outcome, and ongoing issues remain as the deal faces renewal.

Many Canadian industry representatives are calling for another extension of the 2006 deal, while those representing the industry in the U.S. are calling for major changes.

Negotiations between the two countries on this deal are likely to be slow and arduous due to the history of contention on the issue.

After meeting in Washington in early March, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama committed to explore all options in order to solve the trade dispute.

Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s International Trade Minister, said:

What we have committed to is to make significant, meaningful progress towards a deal — to have the structure, the key elements there 100 days from now.

U.S. softwood lumber production is on the rise, with more Canadian-owned sawmills located in the U.S. than in Canada due to lower labour costs, higher timber availability, and higher demand.

Low loonie is luring some U.S. business to Canada

The Canadian dollar began a dramatic plunge in January 2016 that brought the currency to its lowest level since 2003, bottoming out at 70 Canadian cents to the U.S. dollar.

The drop in value, though detrimental to consumers purchasing imported products, has also been touted as an opportunity for Canadian businesses doing business with the U.S., from commodities exporters to the tourist industry.

Canadians can benefit from the attractively low loonie by leveraging increased trade and foreign investment from the U.S., and thereby increase their export revenue.

Canadians can also expect more U.S. visitors during the upcoming tourism season, as the country provides a destination that is much more affordable while the loonie is low.

Trans Pacific Partnership agreement may be a non-issue

It’s no secret that the Obama administration is keen to pass and implement the TPP. Canada has gone as far as to sign on to the deal, but has committed to consulting with Canadians and considering all economic impacts before ratifying.

At their most recent meeting in Washington in March, Trudeau and Obama released the following joint statement on the agreement:

“The United States and Canada share the goal of enhancing shared prosperity, creating jobs, protecting workers and the environment, and promoting sustainable economic development.”

Recognizing that the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which links together countries that represent nearly 40 percent of global GDP, would advance these objectives, Canada and the United States are working to complete their respective domestic processes.

However, the Canadian government has been careful in proceeding and committing 100% to the deal due to a significant anti-TPP sentiment in the country.

If the TPP is not ratified before the end of Obama’s term in November, it’s hard to know what the future of the agreement would be, and how trade relations between the two countries would proceed, given that the U.S. presidential candidates are unanimously rejecting the deal.

Fortunately, many have speculated that the trade relationship would not change drastically with or without the signing of the TPP, as previous agreements, notably NAFTA, would still be in effect either way.

What do you think the future has in store for the US-Canada trade relationship?

The post Can improving U.S.-Canada relations save their weakening trade relationship? appeared first on Trade Ready.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership was finalized in October, and has since been a topic of intense debate.

However, due to the size of the final document and its many specifics concerning tariff liberalization, customs, trade facilitation, competition, and other critical topics, it’s understandably taking time for all of the new stipulations to be digested by the larger public.

As environmental groups and analysts make headway with reading through and analyzing the agreement, some groups have come out resolutely against the agreement, arguing that tying these economies together more tightly will make it harder to pass more stringent environmental regulations in the future.

Environmental regulations don’t go far enough

One U.S. law professor pointed out that this is the first multilateral treaty in recent years which required the adoption of only one multilateral environmental agreement, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Previous trade treaties required constituent parties to abide by seven of these types of agreements.

Moreover, environmental groups point out that according to the terms of the trade agreement, a state will not be in violation of these regulations if it fails to comply with the stipulations set out in the agreement.

Violating an environmental aspect of the TPP requires proof that the measures taken by the country in question not only go against the environmental rules, but also affect trade and investment with other signatory states.

Complete silence on climate change

Environmentalists are also upset by the treaty’s lack of regulations on Japan’s whaling trade or Singapore’s trade in shark fins, and are particularly concerned that the trade agreement fails to mention climate change or global warming at all.

“Beyond making no effort to combat climate disruption, the TPP would actually fuel the climate crisis,” the Sierra Club said in its report, “A Dirty Deal,” released earlier in December.

If approved, the pact would increase greenhouse gas emissions and undermine efforts to transition to clean energy.

The organization also maintains that the deal would open up avenues for oil and gas firms to overturn energy policies in trade dispute tribunals, and increase greenhouse gas emissions by spurring companies to move their manufacturing hubs to less environmentally friendly economies.

Overfishing provisions the one bright spot

It’s not all doom and gloom for the environment, however, with specific regulations attached to try to stem overfishing.

The environmental chapter includes provisions that prohibit signatory nations from providing subsidies to fishing practices which promote or support overfishing of marine species deemed to be in danger by national governments, regional fishery management organizations, or scientific evidence.

Moreover, TPP participant nations are now prohibited from extending existing subsidies that would endanger low stocks of endangered fish.

Countries are also required to notify trade partners of fishing subsidies which are part of their policies, as well as additional information about the state of the fish population.

The measure is significant, as participants in the TPP trade agreement – which encompasses 12 nations, or an estimated 40% of the world’s economy – account for eight of the top 20 global fishing nations.

Mixed opinions sparking conversations about next steps

Though the Sierra Club is decidedly disappointed in the agreement, the World Wildlife Fund is encouraged.

“No major trade agreement before this one has gone so far to address growing pressures on natural resources like overexploited fish, wildlife, and forests,” WWF-US President and CEO Carter Roberts said in October, shortly after the talks were completed.

With the right implementation and compliance procedures, the conservation commitments in this trade agreement could be game-changers.

Roberts added that each nation will have to individually undertake the appropriate policies to comply with the regulations.

While some environmental groups claim the TPP agreement will make it harder to implement new, more ambitious environmental regulations, one lawyer pointed out that the agreement is an important step to ensure that countries which fail to comply with existing environmental regulations will catch up to their peers.

Furthermore, making it harder for participant nations to introduce new economic policies is not as dangerous as some environmental groups make it seem.

Governments have used environmental policies to limit foreign competition, which has led to protectionist policies, resulting in domestic industries continuing to violate existing environmental protocols.

Do you think the TPP agreement goes far enough to address environmental issues?

The post Environmental groups are unhappy about TPP’s failure to address climate change appeared first on Trade Ready.

Greg Gerritsen, CITP|FIBP is the Global Logistics and Trade Compliance Manager at Phoenix Technology Services, an international oil and gas services company based in Calgary, Alberta.

He has over fourteen years of diverse experience within the manufacturing, customs and logistics industries.

A favour from a friend turns out to be a twist of fate

Greg got started in international trade by accident, taking a job a friend had recommended him for as a way to make money towards his education and living expenses while studying.

He was attending college at the time, trying to figure out what he wanted to do in life, something to which many of us can relate.

He was originally taking courses in subjects as diverse as organic and inorganic chemistry, psychology, and fine arts when a friend helped him land a job at a global air freight forwarder. At first, Greg loaded aircraft trucks and ocean containers, and then moved his way up to planning international shipping and distribution for various global industries.

It started out as a good paying job to get me through school, and turned out to be the best job and decision I have ever made.

Before he knew it, he was organizing shipping for companies that had distribution centres all around the world, and managing various country customs laws and requirements for customers. Greg held the position as Logistics and Customs Specialist with Haworth from 1998-2003.

“It was with this hands-on global supply chain and logistics experience and training that I became focused not only on the international requirements for supply chain management (SCM) logistics, but began my specialized focus on International border compliance, import/export laws and regulations and SCM coordination with these regulatory bodies.”

“I thank my old college hockey buddy to this day for getting me that job.”

Building knowledge and experience side by side

He soon took a position as Customs and Logistics Specialist for Agrium, a major retail supplier of agricultural products and services in North America, South America and Australia.

While working hard at his full-time job, Greg also studied Canadian customs laws and regulations to further his knowledge, passing the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Customs Professional Exam in 2005.

Continuing to add to his international education in 2006, Greg took an intensive weeklong study program at York University’s Schulich School of Business, staying in residence on campus and earning a Certificate in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

In 2007, Greg moved on to a position as Trade Compliance and Customs Manager, taking on more responsibility and complex projects with Plains Midstream Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of Plains All American Pipeline L.P., providing solutions to logistical challenges in the crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) businesses.

He then moved up in the international trade industry again in 2013, as a Trade Compliance Manager with Baker Hughes Canada, a company with an intriguing history.

Now a powerhouse oil and gas solutions company, Baker Hughes Canada formed from legendary American business tycoon and inventor Howard Hughes’ company “Hughes Tool Company” and Baker International.

A demanding but rewarding new position

In 2015, Greg became Logistics and Trade Compliance Manager at Phoenix Technology Services, where he is responsible for supervising logistics and trade processes to develop and implement the best practices to ensure global trade compliance.

“I am responsible for international logistics, customs & tax compliance, and many other federal agency trade regulatory requirements that impact the organization’s import and export activity.”

A typical day for Greg consists of engagement with multiple departments at all levels throughout the organization, and advising and consulting on international trade issues, customs compliance and logistics business requirements.

He also oversees the compliant creation and flow of efficient U.S. and Canadian shipments, including regulatory documentation for all modes of transport (truck, rail, pipeline, ocean, air) and liaising with those various internal groups to ensure efficiency, cost effectiveness and compliance to cross border trade law and regulations.

It is undoubtedly a demanding role, but Greg takes satisfaction in rising to the challenges and excelling in his work.

Finding solutions and developing cost effective, compliant and efficient processes keeps me motivated and adds to my passion in the field of international trade.

“Every day is a new and exciting challenge and opportunity, from coordinating efforts to move equipment in and out of various regions, such as Russia, Albania, Egypt, Columbia or Peru, to supporting various tax or marketing initiatives for the business.”

Sharing his global trade expertise by taking on important leadership roles

Greg fits naturally into management and leadership roles, speaking at national logistics conferences, seminars and advisory committees on the subject of trade facilitation and cross border strategies.

“I am very active with many industry associations, such as the Canadian Association of Importers & Exporters (IECanada) as a Co-Chair for the Mining, Oil and Gas Committee, and am proud to have been on the Board of Directors for the past 5 years.”

“I enjoy mentoring those around me, and applying my knowledge and experience daily in the operations.”

Greg was also involved in one of FITT’s major initiatives over the past few years.

“I recently had the honour of being part of a National Steering Committee from 2010-2012 with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and FITT. The focus was on providing overall guidance, insights, advice, and input regarding the conditions that have the greatest impact on the international trade sector in Canada.”

“Working with FITT and HRSDC on the Pan-Canadian industry sector initiative, I became aware of the strong FITTskills program, CITP®|FIBP® designation, and FITT’s core values.”

Greg was ready to demonstrate his level of expertise and commitment to international trade by establishing himself as a leader in the industry, applying for his elite CITP®|FIBP® designation and earning it through the executive path in 2012.

I am very proud to have obtained my CITP®|FIBP® designation with FITT and my Canadian Customs Broker Professional and Licensed status with the CBSA.

“I very much enjoy applying my practical and formal training knowledge and experience daily.”

Greg also finds the time to co-direct Cross Check Cancer (CCC), a large charity organization and annual hockey tournament dedicated to raising funds through the exciting sport of hockey, for the fight against cancer.

This year, Greg spearheaded the first Annual Golf Classic branch of the CCC brand. It was a huge success, with over 75 participants enjoying one of the finer links style golf courses in the Calgary area.

Greg is now looking into kicking off a new foundation focusing on local community needs and benefiting cancer and Alzheimer’s research, both of which have directly impacted Greg’s family.

When he isn’t working tirelessly for the charity or the international trade industry, Greg can be found spending time with his wife Jan and two boys, Rowan and Seth, or playing hockey with friends and family.

With Greg’s expertise, passion and leadership in global trade, we know we can expect great things from him in the future.

The post Greg Gerritsen, CITP|FIBP – Global Logistics and Trade Compliance Manager appeared first on Trade Ready.

Gordon Ham is a Partner in Infinitum Consulting, an international business consultancy firm that helps companies set up shop in new overseas markets, from market research to developing partnerships and staffing, as well as President and Founder of GH & Associates.

He is currently based out of Cochrane, Alberta.

Though Gordon is now Alberta-based, he has had a very global career, working in locations as far-flung as Africa, South America, and the Middle East.

In fact he has over 40 years of experience working in global trade, in more than 25 countries around the world. Suffice it to say, he is a well-traveled individual.

His long career began in the oil and gas industry in the 1970s, after graduating from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technologies, as an operations manager for Ken Ham Consulting Ltd.

In the early 1980s his work took him far afield to Tripoli, Libya, where he worked as a Senior Engineer for Milchem Libya Ltd, and then to Cairo, Egypt where he held a similar position at Hughes Drilling Fluids Ltd.

During this time, he also studied with the Business Management program at the University of Maryland University College.

Suddenly, Gordon found himself transitioning into a new role, and his international trade career took off.

The happy accident that launched a career

“I got started by accident; I was working in Oman as the operations manager when my former boss, from another company I had worked for, joined the staff. He was the Regional Manager in Dubai and I ended up reporting to him. As he got to know his business in Dubai he realized he had a major problem on the logistics and purchasing side of the operation.”

“The incumbent manager had created several problems; trucks stuck at borders with no paperwork for days on end, a sea freight shipment that couldn’t be cleared as it was part of a break bulk shipment, inventories in a mess and little hope of easy resolution.”

Gordon wasted no time in proving his operational skills in the field.

He asked me to move to Dubai and help him clean up the mess.

“Upon arrival, I was introduced to two people – the first at a sea freight company, the second at a land freight company. With their expertise and guidance we cleaned up the backlogs, streamlined the process and started moving material efficiently within weeks. At that point I was promoted to running the Purchasing and Logistics department for the region.”

This early moment in his career was a catalyst for his ongoing skills development and passion for supply chain management.

“It was there that I realized having a well-functioning supply chain is critical in servicing international businesses, regardless of the market.”

Overcoming local hurdles to dominate sales

In the late 1990s Gordon moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina where he created a bilingual, bicultural management team of thirty individuals as General Manager of Grupo Serval S.A.

For the following decade, he excelled in growing sales in new markets and old, for several companies around Latin America and Africa.

In the early 2000s he helped establish a network of agents and distributors in several countries in Latin America, as well as the Canadian domestic market, for Topco Industries Ltd, boosting regional sales to $4 million CND.

A decade of success in sales management, business development and supply chain management followed, including a stint managing the Canadian and Alaskan Operations of Drilling Specialties Division of Chevron Phillips.

Responsible for all sales and marketing, he was able to lead the company to an unprecedented $10 million USD in his division, after steady increases every year since 2001.

In 2010 Gordon took a position as Sub Saharan Manager at Halliburton Energy Services, Baroid. In this role his group was able to secure 100% of the East Africa offshore market for the company.

Gordon says that some of his most challenging and exciting projects came from this period, working in several countries across Africa, including Mozambique and Tanzania.

The most interesting projects have been in Mozambique and Tanzania, both for their location and the challenges created by both countries.

Mozambique is a stunning country with some of the most beautiful unspoilt shorelines in Africa.”

“In Mozambique I was working on a support project centred on the port of Pemba in the north. There wasn’t regular sea freight to the port, and most products had to be either brought in by charter plane or trucked in from South Africa. The port was set up for export only, and to set up imports and bring things in was a challenge, due to the remoteness and the lack of infrastructure.”

“In Tanzania we had a similar challenge. The port of Mtwara was set up for the export of peanuts, and the local officials had a hard time trying to figure out how to handle imports. The first shipments were brought into the commercial port of Dar Es Salaam and then barged to the south, or trucked on local roads which are very underdeveloped.”

“Both countries experienced rainy seasons that all but made roads impassable. Local officials were often inexperienced, and had a general distrust of foreign business. It was a real challenge, however, we got it working and successfully supported a major offshore deep water drilling program in both countries.”

Proving his elite level of expertise and becoming Partner and President

Gordon worked with Weatherford Drilling Fluids and Drilling Waste Management from 2012 to 2014, first as Technical Representative, Global Business Unit, where he was responsible for providing technical and management support to Iraq Operations.

He then moved to Global Business Development, where he developed new international markets for the company in Sub Saharan Africa.

Gordon says the travel and cultural experiences he has gained throughout his career are too numerous to list. However, he does have some favourites.

“The places I’ve most enjoyed living in are South Africa and Argentina. In South Africa I worked on a fun project supporting Tullow Drilling operations in Uganda. We were drilling near the headwaters of the Blue Nile and Murchison Falls.”

“I also loved Buenos Aires, Argentina, which I got to know while I worked on some projects in the Neuquen area. There is a fabulous culture there with great wine and good food. What a country.”

After four successful decades in the field, Gordon became a Partner in Infinitum Consulting Group. The company provides consulting services to the oil and gas industry, including management consulting, market analysis, operations oversight, project management and logistics.

He also opened his own consulting services in April 2014, as President and Founder of GH & Associates.

Gordon leverages his experience, business savvy and extensive network of global contacts to assist his clients.

“Typically I spend the better part of the day networking with friends and associates around the globe, looking to connect people on business dealings. We provide market analysis, market entry, and business development strategies to both local and foreign companies.”

He awarded the elite CITP®|FIBP® designation after applying through FITT’s executive path, a testament to his considerable and impressive level of experience and expertise in the international trade industry.

Gordon is proud to be among the international trade elite, and sees his new designation as a way of showcasing his many accomplishments in the industry.

I decided that the CITP®|FIBP® certification would be an asset, as I transition from strictly the Oil Business Service Sector into business consulting with the Infinitum Group.

“It shows that I have continued to refine my skills and open the door to new opportunities and a new network of like-minded business professionals.”

When asked about his ambitions for the future, Gordon keeps it simple, and his answer reflects his main passion in life “working on international projects anywhere on the globe.”

“GH & Associates and Infinitum Group will continue to endeavour in assisting companies to successfully enter the international marketplace.”

The post Gordon Ham, CITP|FIBP – International Business Consultant appeared first on Trade Ready.

I was drawn to the new opportunities available to qualified international business professionals who are capable of doing business in developing countries.

I had imagined a new world of potential for Canadians resulting from the ratification of free trade agreements like NAFTA, the rise of China in global economics, trade in the Americas, and an increased demand for petroleum products and services from Alberta in the United States and overseas.

Navigating the complexities of international trade in this new world sounded like a rewarding and lucrative endeavor for those willing to accept a less standard career path, compared to a more easily definable career in a discipline like finance or accounting.

Seeing the world anew

Prior to earning my degree, I completed five terms abroad (Mainland China, Taiwan, Peru, Spain, and the Amazon) which were organized by the University’s Study Abroad Centre and financed mostly via University scholarships, government research grants, and corporate donations provided from Shell Canada.

These international academic experiences helped me establish a cultural understanding of Asia and Latin America, by providing me with firsthand experience working in those geographies in the local language.

Much of the work had to be done with stakeholders who weren’t comfortable enough to work in English. This allowed me the opportunity to strengthen my Spanish and Mandarin communication skills, which had been previously developed through university courses and travel.

Through hard work and dedication, I was awarded six scholarships during my academic career, including the Shell Experimental Energy Learning Scholarship, and achieved a 3.94 out of 4 average GPA for my five Strategy and Global Management (SGMA) courses.

The first steps into the world of international business

After university, I took a position with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation International (CMHC) as an international trade consultant.

I helped coordinate international finance projects in Alaska and Texas, while working with industry and government to develop international business strategies to help Canadian clients export their goods.

I then accepted a new challenge with the American oilfield services and supply giant National Oilwell Varco (NOV) in their international employee development program. During the program. These three month projects spanned Alberta, Texas, and Beijing, introducing me to the company’s operations in China and Houston.

Throughout the program I was required to use my Chinese language skills, and upon completion I was offered a two year expatriate assignment in China with NOV.  This required me to turn down a similar opportunity in Houston. I was a little apprehensive at first, to say the least.

The anxiety of moving halfway around the world

I remember feeling equally excited and nervous to leave behind my entire life in North America and move to the opposite side of the world, to a country where I knew nobody.

In the end, I decided that the adventure, career opportunities, and perspective gained from such an assignment were worth the risk, and I took it.

In China, I worked out of the company’s Beijing office in a series of international business development and manufacturing projects. I was responsible for communicating and developing the company’s market intelligence platform towards the relatively new manufacturing base for offshore drilling equipment being built in Chinese shipyards.

This required me to constantly set up meetings, make proposals, and conduct sales calls to clients and manufacturing facilities on site, both in English and Chinese. The field experience was extremely challenging, but rewarding.

Due to the nature of the assignment, I would sometimes spend weeks by myself out in the industrial sectors of China’s manufacturing districts without seeing another foreigner for more than a few minutes.

This really helped solidify my knowledge of Chinese work culture, as well as the challenges of doing business in China, which I strongly believe is only achieved from this type of firsthand experience.

Working in China in this environment requires an immense amount of patience and a delicate balance of cultural awareness and persistence. Also, speaking at least some Mandarin is a must.

Upon completion of the assignment, I was moved full time to the division’s corporate office in Houston. By this time I was ready to return to North America, and was excited about setting up shop in the U.S.

I often find myself missing some of the excitement involved with expatriate life, but I am happy to be back.

Taking a legal perspective on international trade

In my new Houston role with NOV, I settled into a technical marketing and inside sales position.

I was responsible for delivering technical sales support for NOV sales managers abroad, expanding a new market intelligence platform for drilling technology products in developing markets, and reviewing NOV trademark requirements for product renewals and customer compliance.

This is when I was first introduced to the NOV legal team and developed my interest in the legal side of international business.

I later took a part time role working as a research assistant at the South Texas College of Law for Professor Cherie Taylor, where I aspire to one day earn my Juris Doctorate degree, specializing in international trade & transactional law.

I want to specialize in international law because I believe that the global nature of the energy industry will continue to grow along with increased energy demand from China and low cost production of hydrocarbons in the U.S. due to shale drilling technologies.

I enjoy dealing with the complex legal requirements and FCPA regulations associated with these international transactions and contracts.

I’ve also always been interested in the FITTskills courses and I plan on applying for my Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation later this year.

So far, I have completed FITT’s International Market Entry Strategies, International Trade Finance, Global Supply Chain Management, Global Business Environment, International Trade Research, and Legal Aspects of International Trade courses.

My favourite courses were International Trade Finance and Legal Aspects of International Trade.

In May 2015, I accepted a consulting contract in petrochemical export sales with the Canadian petrochemical brokerage Prochem International Corporation, focusing on the export of plastics resins overseas.

Now I spend my time traveling between my home in Houston, and where I grew up in Calgary. Prochem International Corp strongly supports my professional ambitions to study international trade and transactional law, and I look forward to one day assisting the team from a legal perspective for their future export transactions.

I’ve been very fortunate in my career to have worked with some fascinating people all over the world and it would not have been possible without the help of a few amazing mentors along the way. I’ve worked very hard throughout my career for the chances that I have been awarded, but I’ve also had some amazing opportunities offered to me throughout my journey from a select few who really believed in me.

Pursuing my international dreams has been a daunting endeavour filled with extreme moments of hopeful ambition, excitement, self reflection, loneliness, disappointment, and reward. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”

― William G.T. Shedd

The post Discovering new global business experiences while exploring the world appeared first on Trade Ready.

Maria Bofill, CITP®|FIBP®, is a Trade Commissioner – Oil and Gas for the Canadian government in Houston, Texas.

Responsible for a crucial economic sector in one of North America’s most iconic oil and gas producing regions, Maria is excited to help Canadian businesses in the industry enter and succeed in the competitive South Central USA market.

Early experience in international trade

Maria’s global business career began while she was in college in Mexico City, facilitating meetings between Mexican and foreign delegations during bi-lateral trade agreement negotiations for Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs.

She continued her education with a MBA and then after completing a Masters in Computers, her next role took her career in another direction, working as the E-Commerce Manager for Gillman Services, the largest car dealership chain in Texas.

The position was a great chance for her to take on leadership responsibilities.

As E-Commerce Manager, she planned and coordinated the entire online sales strategy for the company. Maria managed and trained web development and call center staff, initiated over fifty different on-line marketing campaigns, and used new software to track various trends responding to them as needed.

Through her various efforts, Maria increased the productivity of the e-commerce department by 30% in less than two years. The marketing, planning and management experience she gained in the role was also crucial to her return to international trade.

Helping oil and gas companies excel in the competitive South Central USA market

In 2004, Maria took on a new challenge: the role of Program Coordinator with the Belgian Trade Commission in Houston.

The position was a perfect blend of her two previous roles. She was heavily engaged with Belgian companies interested in international trade with the US, but in ways that allowed her to best apply the IT, marketing and management experience she brought to the table.

Maria worked closely with Belgian businesses in the oil and gas, electric power and aerospace sectors to prepare marketing materials and take a leading role in their budget tracking.

She also maintained a database of contacts and contractors and used it to connect them with businesses she worked with. She facilitated meetings for business executives, and provided guidance to businesses to select the right trade shows and events to attend.

With greater experience in international trade, and specifically the oil and gas industry, Maria moved into her current role as a Canadian Trade Commissioner in 2006.

Building upon the skills she had developed in her previous roles, Maria now has greater responsibility than ever before.

She forms and develops relationships with senior business executives, government officials and non-profit organizations across the South Central USA to promote trade and investment opportunities in the oil and gas sector, and finds opportunities for partnerships between them.

Her contacts expand across the Oil and Gas sector, from service companies like NOV, Schlumberger, etc. to independent producers, national oil companies and exploration and production companies (E&Ps).

Maria promotes and provides support for Canadian companies participating in Trade Events in the USA, like OTC (largest oil and gas show in North America) and LAGCOE, and encourages American companies to participate in Canadian events, like GPS.

She also creates material for federal representatives of the region highlighting the accomplishments of Canadian businesses, such as Enbridge or Encana, and their positive impact on local economies.

Becoming a CITP®|FIBP®

Maria already had a strong business education – she completed her MBA on top of working as a Trade Commissioner, and raising her two year old while pregnant with her second child!

Even with all of that on her plate, she “jumped at the opportunity” to work towards the elite Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation when approached by her supervisors, “because of its reputation and because it provided a great way to update and improve my knowledge.”

Maria had to find ways to balance completing her online courses with her work, but she enjoyed the courses, and said that she feels up to date on everything in international trade after taking them.

The material was very well presented. I think that has helped to have a better perspective of International Trade as a whole and also to help me understand the types of challenges that my clients face to penetrate foreign markets.

Now that she is a proud CITP®|FIBP®, she is excited to better serve her clients and help them excel in the southwestern US.

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