B.C.’s business leaders are looking beyond their borders for success these days, with many hoping that free trade agreements will be extended beyond the U.S.
According to a survey released this morning by law firm Miller Thomson LLP, 72% of senior executives in B.C. support a free trade agreement with the European Union.
The survey, which was conducted late last year, included 200 executives across the country in a wide range of industries.
In B.C., 50% of respondents agreed that Canadian businesses have benefited from free trade agreements, while 33% said the benefit was only marginal and 11% said there was no benefit at all.
Executives in Canada’s western province believe the U.K. offers the best free trade opportunities, but that differed with other areas in Canada, where Germany is believed to hold the best trade opportunities.
“The future for Canadian business is in international markets,” said James Klotz, a partner with Miller Thomson’s business law group.
“Any Canadian business with a global trading strategy needs to carefully consider the opportunities that free trade will bring.”