Canadian Official Touts ‘Vital’ Partnership With Indiana
Doug George's visit to Indiana includes visits in Bloomington
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowOne of Canada’s top trade policy diplomats believes opportunities for growth exist between his country and Indiana. The Consul General of Canada in Detroit Doug George says more than $20 billion in commerce per year flows between Canada and Indiana, making it the state’s largest trading partner. He says the two sides have "inter-related economies." George is in Bloomington today as part of the I-69 Regional Summit, which is hosted by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.
The road, which stretches from the U.S./Canada border to Texas, and after expansion, will essentially stretch from Fremont to Evansville.
George tells Inside INdiana Business, "I know a lot of people think of Canada as rocks and logs, but we do a lot of high-tech. We do a lot of trade in aerospace, information communications technology and I’ll be talking to Purdue University later this week on how we can increase our ties in research and innovation."
He says the relationship primarily involves buying and selling transportation equipment and components, machinery, metals and materials. George says tourism is also a big economic driver.
He says trade between Indiana and Canada is greater than the state’s next "three or four" trading partners, combined. George says face-to-face visits are "key" for measuring how things are working between the two sides and figuring out where his office can help. George is responsible for the states of Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
The consul general will return to Indiana in February for "Canada Week in Indiana," which will include experts on trade, public affairs, advocacy and a consular officer to assist Canadian citizens with passports and other issues.
Consul General of Canada in Detroit Doug George tells Inside INdiana Business both Indiana and Canada have growing high-tech and aerospace sectors.
