Canada’s International Competitiveness Set to Grow...

Newest Certified International Trade Professionals will lead the way

Mississauga, Canada – Members of Canada’s international trade community came together last night at FITT’s 12^th National Conference to celebrate the accreditation of 63 newly designated Certified International Trade Professionals (CITP).

These individuals join the prestigious group of over 370 CITPs from across Canada and around the world who are bringing a new level of expertise and accountability to the field of international trade. CITPs possess the necessary skills and experiences required in today’s unique business environment and have the credential to prove it.

“Besides adding value to my current career, the FITT Diploma of International Trade [the educational requirement for the CITP] has also educated me to become more capable of critical and independent thinking towards opportunities, inefficiency, complexity and solutions at the industry and national economic levels,” said Dehua Pan, CITP, Business Development Manager, Mathias International Limited, who is among the newly recognized CITPs.

Rafi Moradians, Advisor to Deputy Minister’s Office, Iran, Ministry of Industry and Mines, who has been a CITP for 13 years, said the accreditation is a tremendous career enhancing asset. “The FITT Diploma and the CITP designation [have] opened lots of doors for me and given me the ability to move up in my career at a faster pace,” said Mr. Moradians. “I had the privilege of meeting my peers, exchanging ideas and discussing issues,” adds Moradians.

FITT’s highest educational honours, the FITT Educational Awards, were also presented to four students who participated in the FITTskills program, a practical, hands-on series of courses that focus on the fundamental aspects of international business. The EDC-FITT Internship recipient was also recognized during the event. This program, established by EDC, was created in recognition of the importance of international trade to Canada’s economic prosperity.

“The commitment of our partners—Export Development Canada, Scotiabank, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and Georgian College—for these awards helps us to promote quality international trade training”, said Caroline Tompkins, President of FITT. “International trade training benefits the individual, their employer, and ultimately, the Canadian economy.’’

A complete list of winners and CITPs is included below.

The 2008 FITT Educational Award Winners:

Todd MacDonald, Georgian College
International Business Plan Award
Presented by FITT’s supporting partner, Georgian College

Caitlin Pauzé, Georgian College
International Marketing Plan Award
Presented by FITT’s strategic partner, Scotiabank

Igor Yarantsev, British Columbia Institute of Technology
Student of the Year Award
Presented by FITT’s strategic partner, Export Development Canada

Ashley McCulloch, Sheridan College
FITT Achievement Award
Presented by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

The 2009 EDC-FITT Internship Recipient:

EDC-FITT Internship Recipient
Heather Stokes
Graduate, International Business Management, Georgian College

2008 – 2009 Certified International Trade Professionals (CITPs):

• David Archer, International Business Trainers

• Visar Bajra, S.A. Armstrong Ltd.

• Molly Jo Beauchamp, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

• Miran Bek, Bek Group Ltd.

• Jeffrey Bielmann, GEOS Corporation

• Ramiro Castaneda, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

• Doreen Conrad, Global Links Network

• Joseph Conti, Media-Hosts

• Christopher Corman, Industry Canada

• Rémi Côté, Sotrem Maltech Groupe

• Mario Cotic, TST Overland Express

• Nicole Daigle, MDS Nordion

• Sukhdeep Singh Deol, Deolexim

• Alexandra Dostal, Finance Canada

• Dilek Duman, Wyecroft Lumber & Trim Ltd.

• Catherine Ehlers, Automotive Finishes Corporation

• Mamoun El-Khatib, Doha Bank

• Frederic Fournier, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

• Felipe Gajardo, Government of Chile

• Mauricio Gamboa, Encore Art Group

• Valya Georgieva, Global Bulgarian Business Network Association

• Peter Giffin, Nova Scotia Business Inc.

• Barry Goldberg, YMCA

• Ruth Grady, Northern Abrasives Inc.

• Jatinder Singh Gulati, Raysim Ventures Incorporated

• Jing Hu, Kuehne and Nagel Logistics Incorporated

• Brian Jervis, Algonquin College

• Kathleen Keating, Keating Communications

• Mozammel Khan, MDI Canada

• Martin Lutereau, Consulate General of Argentina

• Stacy MacWilliams, West Isle Enterprise Limited

• Alexander Malaket, OPUS Advisory Services International Inc.

• Andrea Mandel-Campbell, Veteran Journalist

• Marcela Mandeville, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs

• Nelly Martinez Fonseca, Trade Office of Costa Rica

• Ashley McCulloch, 2008 FITT Achievement Award Winner

• Alain Meere, Export Development Canada

• Holly Metropolit, Government of Alberta

• Abel Mharapara, Canada Revenue Agency

• Karl Miville de Chêne, Consultation Contacts Monde

• Hilda Namu, Elizabeth Fry Society of Toronto

• Peter Ohonsi, Royal Bank of Canada

• Omaira Ospino, Nova Scotia Department of Energy

• Roy Palaco, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

• Dehua Pan, Mathias International Limited

• David Pastirik, Niagara College

• Steve Razmovski, Cushman and Wakefield LePage Inc.

• Ehab Shalayel, Canada Link

• Doron Shwaizer, CrimsonLogic (North America) Inc.

• Debby Sung, Mountain Equipment Co-op

• Michel Tapiero, World University Service of Canada

• Bradley Thorne, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

• Mariya Vaneva, Ango Mode Inc.

• Krishna Kumar Varma, Vancouver Career College

• Jagdeep Virk, Virk and Virk

• Martin Wanzala, Delmar International

• Karen Williams, Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage

• Berni Wood, Berni Wood & Associates and Reel Media

• Ann Worth, Worth Consulting Group

• Juzer Ebrahim Yusufali, Export Development Canada

• Gustavo Zentner, InterPOC - International Point of Commerce

• Limei Zhou, Scotiabank

An Evening in Halifax

An Evening in Halifax, hosted by FITT in partnership with World Trade Centre Atlantic Canada and Scotiabank, is your opportunity to network with international business experts and young professionals. Join us at Windows restaurant, at the top of the World Trade and Convention Centre to network with representatives from FITT, FITT members and the international trade community.

A Keynote address will be provided by John Pelley, Senior Manager, Global Transaction Banking with Scotiabank. His presentation will feature a brief overview of the world’s economy, the potential impact on Trade Finance services and the unique position of Scotiabank to capitalize on these opportunities.

When: Thursday, June 4, 2009 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Where: Windows Restaurant, At the World Trade and Convention Centre 1800 Argyle Street, 8th Floor, Halifax NS B3J 2V9
Cost: FREE

Speaker Profile:

John Pelley
Senior Manager, Global Transaction Banking, Scotiabank

John Pelley is a Senior Manager with Scotiabank’s Global Transaction Banking group, covering Corporate accounts in Atlantic Canada. His portfolio of accounts includes regional, national, and international companies and international companies operating in the regional market. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Saint Francis Xavier University (St. FX) and a Certified Treasury Professional designation from the Association of Financial Professionals (AFP). He has been with Scotiabank for 25 years holding positions in Branch administration, Internal Audit, Commercial Lending and for the past 11 years, with the Cash, Treasury Management and Trade Finance group. He has been recognized as a top performer in Eastern Canada for 6 of the last 7 years and in 2008 was named to Global Transaction Banking’s Platinum Club as a top performer in North America. While originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, he and his family currently reside in Bedford, NS.

Register online or download the PDF registration form (at www.fitt.ca/resources/halifaxreception) and email or fax it to:

FITT
Email: silvia@fitt.ca
Fax: 613.230.6808
Phone: 613.230.3553 or 800.561.3488

Time is running out... register today for a chance to win a Blackberry Bold

Less than three weeks remain to register for this year’s exciting conference. Don’t be disappointed! With FITT and CME’s expansive joint program, registration has been filling-up early.

Don’t miss your chance to get one-on-one access to trade experts during the roundtable events. Participants will also have an opportunity to learn about accessing U.S. markets, global market opportunities, and export finance issues.

Grow your network while meeting with peers, industry experts, and reps from key trade organizations such as Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, EDC, CCC, and Ontario Exports. Visit our conference site for the latest program announcements.

And, register for FITT’s 12th National Conference & CME’s Global Business Summit by May 15th to be entered into a draw to win a Rogers BlackBerry Bold! For more information regarding the summit and registration details, please visit: www.fitt.ca/resources/2009conference. The winner of the draw will be announced on the FITT website on Monday, May 18th.
Whether you are a student, industry professional, or corporate representative, join the FITT and CME communities for two days of exciting international trade discussion and exploration.

Click here to register today!

Staff Announcement - Director, International Trade Resources

FITT is pleased to welcome our newest staff member Mr. Rob Gnaedinger, PMP, in the position of Director, International Trade Resources.

Rob joins us from Nortel with over 12 years of project management and training/documentation development experience. Much of Rob’s career at Nortel involved information and project management for publications for both internal and external clients. Prior to his Nortel experience, Rob worked within the trademark and intellectual property areas. He has his Project Management Designation (PMP), a FITT Certificate, and is working toward his Certified Business Analysis Professional and CITP designations. In addition, Rob has a BA from Carleton University, an Algonquin Diploma in Technical Writing, and an Algonquin Certificate in Microcomputer Operator.

Welcome Rob!

FITT’s coming to Halifax! - Regional Event Announcement

In partnership with the World Trade Center Atlantic Canada, FITT is pleased to announce an evening of networking. Join us at the Windows Restaurant, located at the top of the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia on June 4^th, 5:00-7:00PM, as we connect with our community members from across the region.

Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the event.

Latest Corporate Members

FITT is pleased to announce our latest Corporate Members, Emerging Markets Financial Group (EMFG Toronto), and Cégep John Abbott College (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue).

EMFG is a Canadian federal incorporated institution with interests in trade finance advisory, training and business consulting services, with particular emphasis on creating and facilitating cross border trade between North American institutions and emerging markets companies, especially companies in Africa.

John Abbott College is the only English language CEGEP in the West Island of Montreal. They offer pre-university and career programs, as well as a wide range of continuing education programs to over 5700 full-time and 2000 part-time students.

FITT would like to formally welcome Emerging Markets Financial Group and John Abbott College to our community. We are looking forward to working together in the coming months.

To apply for a FITT Corporate Membership or for more information, please visit us online or contact our Membership Coordinator or call us toll-free 800.561.3488.