Alabama Leads Delegation to SEUS-CP Business Forum

News Summary

Alabama is set to lead a delegation to the 2025 Southeast U.S.-Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) Business Forum, aiming to enhance trade and investment opportunities in food and beverage, advanced manufacturing, and energy sectors. The event, featuring various panel discussions and B2B matchmaking programs, emphasizes Alabama’s commitment to fostering international growth and showcases the state’s strong trade relationship with Canada.

Alabama is set to make a significant stride in trade and investment by leading a delegation to the 2025 Southeast U.S.-Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) Business Forum. The three-day forum, commencing on Sunday in St. John, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, is organized to foster and strengthen commercial relations between the Southeastern United States and Canadian provinces.

Heading the Alabama delegation will be Ed Castile, the Deputy Secretary of Commerce. The forum’s primary objective is to enhance trade and investment opportunities, particularly in three vital sectors: food and beverage, advanced manufacturing, and energy. Notably, the event aims to cultivate not only economic ties but also cultural connections between the participating regions.

The SEUS-CP Business Forum will feature a robust agenda, including expert-led panel discussions and networking events designed to facilitate meaningful connections among businesses. A highlight of the forum is the B2B matchmaking program, which will allow companies to engage in one-on-one meetings with potential partners and customers, thereby expanding their business horizons.

Participation in this year’s event includes leading Canadian firms such as NB Power, J.D. Irving, and Organigram Global. One focus of the Alabama officials, particularly Deputy Secretary Castile, is the significance of this forum for small businesses. Alabama’s involvement is regarded as a gateway for these businesses to directly access high-value markets and to showcase their offerings on a global stage.

The engagement in the matchmaking program is a crucial aspect of Alabama’s strategy, as two Alabama-based small businesses will participate. These businesses will have the opportunity to interact with several potential partners, aided by the facilitation of Market Access International, emphasizing the state’s commitment to fostering international growth opportunities.

Alabama has a well-established trade relationship with Canada, which has been a vital trading partner for the state. In 2024, Canada emerged as Alabama’s largest export market with shipments soaring to $4.3 billion, marking a 7% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, Alabama’s imports from Canada amounted to $3.8 billion in the same year, underlining the strong economic link between the two regions.

The backdrop of this engagement lies in the establishment of the SEUS-CP alliance in 2007, which aims to bolster economic ties between six U.S. states and six Canadian provinces. As part of this collaboration, Alabama has become a significant player, hosting over 260 Canadian companies that employ around 9,500 people. Since 2015, Canadian investments in Alabama have totaled over $1.7 billion, creating approximately 3,000 jobs in the state.

The Alabama Department of Commerce remains steadfast in its mission to enhance international growth opportunities for local businesses. The SEUS-CP Business Forum represents an essential platform for showcasing and expanding Alabama’s economic footprint in Canada and beyond.

For additional details regarding the SEUS-CP forum, including the full agenda and sector-specific opportunities, the official event website can be consulted. This initiative represents a crucial step in bridging economic and cultural gaps between Alabama and its Canadian counterparts.