3. Minutes

Moved by Councillor Costante, seconded by S. Despins, That the minutes of the International Relations Committee of its meeting held June 20, 2019 BE ADOPTED as presented. Carried.

4. Presentation

Rakesh Naidu, President and CEO, Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is present to provide information relating to a Twin City economic initiative. The highlights of the presentation are as follows: 

•  The initiative began after speaking to Ambassadors of 3 countries – Argentina, Peru and Equador.
•  The premise of this initiative is to support our companies as they go global and compete with foreign markets along with assistance from the Economic Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce
•  There is currently an agreement with Argentina (Equador and Peru in the pipeline).We will offer them all of the services that any Chamber of Commerce receives at no cost which includes connecting them to businesses here, economic development, government programs and incubators to allow them to easily tap into the Canadian market.
•  The proposal is to go to a selective few countries and ask them to sign a formal memorandum of understanding that will serve to extend a reciprocal relationship with the Chambers at no cost.

Moved by Councillor Costante, seconded by S. Despins, That Administration BE REQUESTED to draft a letter to be sent to our Sister Cities for the purpose of introducing the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce along with their associated services in order to gauge interest in this initiative. Carried.

5. Business Items

5.1 You + Me Sculpture – Jackson Park

The Chair reports the artist of the You + Me Sculpture is no longer involved in this project and he questions if the $25,000 approved in principle by the IRC at its meeting held September 26, 2013 is still a viable option.