When it comes to business expansion on a global scale, oddly enough American executives hardly give Canada and Canadians any serious considerations.
There are a few noteworthy exceptions, of course, when it comes to big box retailers or food outlets, but even those reaches into Canada are generally seen to be extensions of existing U.S. operations, rather than exclusive stand-alone business and profit centres.
In fact, a survey taken last year by Development Counsellors International, an economic development consultancy firm, whose findings appeared in public media in late 2013, indicate that U.S. executives are pretty well ignorant about most of Canada once they are asked to think beyond Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary.
In other words, Saskatchewan isn't even on their business radar or GPS systems.
America's business leaders still believe their own country leads the field in terms of agreeable business climates in which to establish or expand.
They understand Canada has a friendly business environment and agreeable quality of life standards but don't know much about our preferable utility costs, skilled workforce, training opportunities, low taxes, research institutions or even proximity to consumers, let alone our quality business sites and buildings.
That's why we believe Saskatchewan taxpayers should be fully behind any international foray our provincial administrators and government representatives make to spread the business and social gospel to others, especially to the United States.
It has been duly recorded that a few recent international trips taken by government representatives ended up being a little over the top in terms of ungainly expenses and shades of entitlement, but swift action has been taken to put a clamp on these more extravagant outings and a new regulatory system of transparency will be welcomed.
With just 1.1 million people, Saskatchewan is going to have to work hard to get recognized on the international front. We have no major metropolis that comes immediately to mind when uber business professionals in New York, San Francisco, London or Geneva start talking about expansion or new ventures.
We also have to keep in mind that this is a province rich in natural resources, and we require the necessary space in order to bring these goods into a marketing position.
It takes time and space to mine coal, uranium and potash. We need room to drill for oil and seed and harvest millions of tonnes of grains, oilseeds and lentil crops. But a few value-added components would most assuredly be welcomed.
We need our American neighbours outside of the plains states to recognize the fact that we not only do all this resource production, but that we also have worldly research equipment and technology and environmental projects and information at our disposal along with a lot of clever people and a world class investment and banking community willing to take on all kinds of proposals.
But first, we have to get the word out that we actually exist and that you don't necessarily have to learn how to spell and pronounce Saskatchewan to do business with us.
There is a great business climate in this province, and we can prove it, but first we have to be invited to the party, and that's why we don't mind it when our provincial advocates head out to seek invitations and opportunities.
