Trade and Investment Development

ARA produces market studies and advises on developing strategic marketing plans for producers of goods and services and for government agencies and industry associations mandated to deliver trade and investment development programs.  Market studies may be country or region-specific or global in nature, and at a minimum they include information related to the size and nature of markets; conditions of access to markets, including relevant tariffs and government regulations; competition in the market place; and possible distribution channels.  ARA can supplement its in-house expertise by drawing on the roster of trade and investment development experts associated with the affiliate firm, Trade Commissioner Consulting Service (TCCS).  More information on TCCS and summary CV profiles of TCCS trade experts can be accessed on the ARA website at  www.aragroup.com/TCCS.

 

Trade Policy

ARA can provide “one-stop” strategic trade policy advice to government clients and industry associations regarding the provisions of the WTO Agreements or regional trade agreements.  Clients use ARA services in determining an appropriate strategy to manage an international trade dispute, in making views known to Ottawa trade policy makers, in reviewing domestic laws and regulations to determine whether they are consistent with WTO obligations, in facilitating accession to the WTO, or in improving preparedness for joining any regional trade agreement already in place or under negotiation.  ARA can draw on the trade policy expertise of TCCS Associates (www.aragroup.com/TCCS), as well as on the considerable international trade law expertise of Macleod Dixon (www.macleoddixon.com)

 

Trade Remedy

ARA can provide experts in trade remedy law and processes to assist WTO members or prospective members in putting WTO-consistent laws and processes in place and in training staff in implementing the new processes.  Beginning July 1998, ARA/Macleod Dixon will represent Canadian and non-Canadian clients in any anti-dumping, subsidy/countervail, or safeguard proceeding, as well as Customs Act tariff classification and valuation appeals and government procurement bid challenges before Revenue Canada and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT).  Again, ARA trade remedy experts, drawn in part from the TCCS roster (see their CVs at www.aragroup.com/TCCS), will be teamed with trade lawyers from Macleod Dixon through the strategic alliance agreement between the two firms (www.macleoddixon.com).

 

Institution Strengthening

Specialized consulting assistance is often required to strengthen institutions and build the capabilities of staff.  ARA has a long history of providing institution building assistance to clients in Canada and abroad.  Disciplines involved in this area are as follows: restructuring and reengineering of organizations, strategic planning and business plan development, management of human resources and financial systems, performance measurement, business process/IT reengineering, and specialized training for management and staff.

 

Recent Trade and Investment Services Projects at ARA