Zaib Shaikh - Consul General of Canada
Over the past year, my first in the role of Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles, I have been delighted to watch MAPLE® - The Canadian-U.S. Business Council of Southern California - grow in membership, programming, stature and influence across Southern California. The Consulate General of Canada regards MAPLE as a key partner in our work to connect Southern California and Canada, enhance Canada's footprint here and encourage new and deeper bilateral commercial ties in the region.
I have had the honour of overseeing the latest partnership project between MAPLE and the Consulate. The resulting product was an insightful LAEDC report on the current trade relationship and projected future benefits of Canadian investment and employment across Southern California.
Canada and the U.S. enjoy a partnership that is unparalleled anywhere in the world. Our countries are the closest friends, partners and allies. In 2019, Canada-California bilateral trade in goods and services reached $46 billion with Canada representing California's second-largest export market. Over one million jobs in the state rely on Canada-California trade and together we are determined to see that number grow.
Congratulations to founders, Robert Kelle and Stephen Armstrong, and the board of directors on the ever-expanding success of the MAPLE Business Council. Your leadership and commitment to the promotion of Canada through networking events, information sharing and commercial missions is greatly appreciated. I look forward to your future contributions to growing the North American economy together.
Sincerely,
Zaib Shaikh
Consul General