– and Surrey Board of Trade receives World Chamber Accreditation
Surrey, B.C. – The 8th Surrey Board of Trade, Surrey International Trade Awards Reception took place on May 12th drawing over 250 business people from Surrey and the Lower Mainland to celebrate Surrey’s import and export companies.
“This event really speaks to the reality that Surrey businesses are part of the global economic equation. Countries cannot live in isolation. They have to mutually share their prosperity, technical know-how and undertake trade in order to sell their products. The world economy is inter-dependent. Economic progress of a nation depends upon its ties with other countries,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade.
“That is why the Surrey Board of Trade is the only Board of Trade/Chamber of Commerce with an International Trade Centre in our office, creating global business connections for local businesses. Last year, we expanded our trade documentation services and business development services.”
More recently, Surrey Board of Trade Business and International Trade Coordinator Luke Arathoon completed the International Chamber of Commerce World Chamber Federation Accreditation program. The Surrey Board of Trade is part of a unique and truly global forum uniting the global network of more than 12,000 chambers and Board of Trades’ from every country around the world. Through the accreditation, best practices, the development of new global products and services for chambers, and international partnerships between chambers and other stakeholders, is put in place helping local businesses grow in international markets. The Surrey Board of Trade’s accreditation reinforces the SBOT’s competency and professionalism in issuing international documentation.
“Luke Arathoon is the 2nd person in Canada to receive this Accreditation, and the only one in Western Canada. This accreditation will ensure that trade documents are reviewed in depth to ensure smooth receipt of products around the globe.”
The Surrey International Trade Awards provide recognition for the success of import and export achievement, raises awareness of the vital contribution international trade makes to B.C.’s economy and provides a catalyst for companies to reach even higher levels of excellence. The Surrey Board of Trade International Trade Team accepted applications and the nominee businesses that were mentioned earlier in the program met the criteria, which included the following areas of focus:
- The degree of innovation in the marketing strategy
- Trade growth achieved and the ability to sustain that growth
- Evidence of sustainable competitive advantage
- Value of exporting to the applicant over time
- The overall company commitment to international business
The Surrey Board of Trade proudly presented awards to the following businesses:
Small Business Category (Revenue under $15 million)
Winner: Nana’s Kitchen
Nana’s Kitchen is strategically addressing the export market with their brand difference of “convenient comfort foods with a global taste”. With 75 per cent of their market revenues being derived from the export market, Nana’s Kitchen produces global taste profile food products for grocery retail and food service sectors. Unlike many of their competitors that promote just samosas, Nana’s Kitchen proudly supplies handmade savory and sweet entrée items that are inspired by the culture, caring, and kitchen memories of many ‘Nanas’ all over the world.
Large Business Category (Revenue over $15 million)
Winner: Coast Clear Wood Ltd.
Coast Clear Wood is a specialty wood products manufacturer and marketing company based in Surrey, with sales of approximate $28 million in 2015. They buy logs from the major coastal forest products companies and cut them into custom products for a very specific customer base. Their motto is “We strive for excellence” as they execute against our value proposition of matching a customers’ unique lumber requirements with the available raw material supply. They sell to domestic and international marketplaces with their products being used in the construction industry as well as in the manufacturing process for windows, doors, flooring, cabinetry, furniture and much more.
Silver Sponsor: Kinder Morgan Canada and the Trans Mountain Expansion Project
Bronze Sponsor: Export Development Canada (EDC)
Media Sponsor: The Leader Newspaper
Print Sponsor: Classic Impressions Inc.
For more information regarding this event, please contact Anita Huberman at anita@businessinsurrey.com or 604.634.0342.
