Alabama Strengthens Trade Relations at SEUS-CP Business Forum

News Summary

Alabama is participating in the 2025 Southeast U.S.-Canadian Provinces Business Forum in St. John, Canada, focused on boosting trade ties with Canada. The event, led by Deputy Secretary of Commerce Ed Castile, serves as a platform for connections between U.S. states and Canadian provinces, exploring key sectors such as food and beverage, advanced manufacturing, and energy. This forum is crucial for Alabama’s small businesses and aims to enhance bilateral trade relations, showcasing Alabama’s commitment to international partnerships.

Alabama is represented at the ongoing 2025 Southeast U.S.-Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) Business Forum in St. John, Canada, where local commerce officials and business representatives are focusing on enhancing trade relations with Canada. The three-day forum began on Sunday and aims to explore opportunities for expanding investment in key sectors such as food and beverage, advanced manufacturing, and energy.

Leading the Alabama delegation is Deputy Secretary of Commerce Ed Castile, who highlighted the significance of the event for the state’s small businesses. The SEUS-CP Business Forum aims to strengthen the commercial and cultural connections between six Southeastern U.S. states—Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee—and six Canadian provinces: Ontario, New Brunswick, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

This year, the agenda includes expert-led panel discussions, networking events, and a business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking program designed to connect companies with potential partners and customers. Noteworthy procurement representatives from leading Canadian firms, including NB Power, J.D. Irving, and Organigram Global, are participating in this matchmaking program.

Canada has emerged as one of Alabama’s most significant trading partners, reflecting the state’s ability to showcase innovation and competitiveness on a global scale. In 2024, Canada was Alabama’s largest export market, with shipments valued at $4.3 billion, a 7% increase from the previous year. Additionally, Alabama imported $3.8 billion worth of goods from Canada during the same period.

This year, two Alabama-based small businesses are taking advantage of the premier matchmaking program facilitated by Market Access International. The Alabama Department of Commerce continues to focus on supporting international growth and positioning the state as a favorable destination for global investment.

The SEUS-CP alliance was established in 2007 to enhance economic ties and foster collaboration between the Southeastern U.S. and Canadian provinces. Currently, there are over 260 Canadian companies operating within Alabama, providing employment to approximately 9,500 individuals. Since 2015, Canadian firms have contributed more than $1.7 billion in new capital investments to Alabama, resulting in the creation of around 3,000 jobs.

The SEUS-CP Business Forum serves as a vital platform for exploring economic collaboration and specific opportunities across involved sectors, thereby strengthening trade relationships between Alabama and Canada. Ensuring continuous dialogue and connections between entrepreneurs from both regions is essential for fostering long-term partnerships and economic growth.

In conclusion, the SEUS-CP Business Forum symbolizes a significant step toward enhancing bilateral trade relations, emphasizing Alabama’s commitment to building strong international partnerships that can lead to sustainable economic benefits for the region.

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