TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2016 /CNW/ - CFIB congratulates Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and European Union Council President Donald Tusk for the signature by Canada and the European Union of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) today in Brussels.
"CFIB has been a long-time champion of the CETA, and this deal is a terrific achievement," says Dan Kelly, President of CFIB. "It will provide a much needed boost to our economy, and benefit small businesses across Canada. A number of small businesses already trade with Europe, and welcome the opportunity to increase their trade and open up new trading avenues for their Canadian goods and services."
The agreement addresses all aspects of the trading relationship, including goods, services, investment, government procurement and regulatory cooperation. For Canadians, it represents an opportunity to gain preferential access to the largest market in the world. Reducing barriers to trade and locking in long-term access to this key market will generate valuable new benefits for Canada's small and medium-sized enterprises, including a reduction of tariffs and the simplification of rules and border procedures.
CFIB has travelled to Europe several times to promote the deal, including the opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. The European Union is the second-largest market for Canadian small to mid-sized businesses. CFIB's surveys show small firms see trade with the EU as an important buffer against relying exclusively on trade with the U.S.
"As a progressive trade agreement, CETA illustrates that likeminded partners can come together to improve trading opportunities," notes Kelly. "Canada and the EU have shown astute leadership by signing this deal," he concluded.
CFIB is Canada's largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses with 109,000 members across every sector and region.
SOURCE Canadian Federation of Independent Business
To arrange an interview with Dan Kelly, please contact Kiara Morrissey at 416-222-8022, 647-464-2814 or [email protected].
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