Background:
Trade Team Alberta has put a high priority on establishing links with municipalities and regional government organizations. The Investment Attraction and Retention Work Group has responded with a number of significant efforts with other Alberta groups that wish to look at opportunities to exchange information and seek out collaborative efforts. An initial roundtable in June of 2003 was very successful as a launch to determine issue surrounding investment attraction and attention.

The Initiative:
On March 24th, the Investment Attraction and Retention Work Group hosted a roundtable to highlight the priority geographic and sector priorities. Participants included TTA organizations, Investment Partnerships Canada, the municipalities of Red Deer, Calgary and Edmonton, special groups such as the Value Added Initiative of Alberta International, Intergovernmental & Aboriginal Relations and some of the key regional groups such as the Metro Edmonton Economic Development Team (MEEDT), the Leduc/ Nisku Economic Authority, and the Industrial Heartland.

The Results:
The meeting was well received. Participants were able to highlight both their priorities and some of the challenges that they face. There were a number of areas identified where groups were not in direct competition and could effectively collaborate on certain initiatives. The participants agreed that there should be one such roundtable annually with Investment Partnerships Canada being invited to Alberta to take part in the process.

Conclusion:
The roundtable to exchange information regarding investment attraction and retention priorities, challenges and opportunities was successful by virtually any measure. It attracted senior individuals from a diverse group of organizations from federal, provincial, municipal and regional governments in Alberta. This initiative represents the most comprehensive and successful initiative to collaborate in a TTA initiative. It also represents a continuing commitment to involve municipalities and regions in international business development

If you would like additional information on the March 24, 2004 Investment Roundtable, please contact:

Bob Fox, Trade Team Alberta Secretariat
c/o Alberta International, Intergovernmental & Aboriginal Relations
4th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 - 102 Street
Edmonton AB Canada T5J 4L6

Telephone: 780.707-0700