South Carolina announces state office in Toronto

Monday, 19 March 2007

By SCBIZ Daily Staff The S.C. Department of Commerce plans to open a Canadian office in Toronto, Ontario. Gov. Mark Sanford made the announcement last week at the 46th annual Canadian-American Days in Myrtle Beach. The office is scheduled to open later this year. “As we work to compete in the global economy, our state’s ability to further relationships and opportunities with Canada is critical. Whether it’s recruiting a new company to our state or expanding market opportunities for businesses currently here, this office will provide new avenues to enhance our incredibly positive relationship with Canada,” Sanford said. Canada is South Carolina’s top export market. In 2006, Canada purchased more than $3 billion in products from the Palmetto State. Trade between South Carolina and Canada supports some 69,000 jobs in South Carolina alone and bilateral trade between the two totaled $4.5 billion in 2004, according to www.can-am.gc.ca and Global Trade Information Services. “The Carolina-Canada connection is a strong one. Canada has long been our state’s No. 1 trading partner and each year hundreds of thousands of Canadians make the Palmetto State their vacation destination,” said David H. Wilkins, U.S. ambassador to Canada. “This is a relationship on the move and the potential for opportunity and growth is limitless. "By locating in Toronto, the state Department of Commerce is tapping into all that potential and that can only mean a more dynamic business environment and stronger ties on both sides of the border, ” said Wilkins, a Greenville native and  former speaker of the S.C. House of Representatives. In 2005, more than 780,000 Canadians visited South Carolina, spending $220 million. South Carolinians also experienced a healthy dose of Canadian hospitality. The same year, more than 94,600 South Carolinians visited Canada spending $63 million. Andre J. LeBlanc will serve as director of the South Carolina state office in Toronto. LeBlanc, a Canadian native, has served as a project manager in global business development at the state Department of Commerce for the past two years. Prior to his time in South Carolina, LeBlanc worked in sales, marketing and management in the pharmaceutical industry. He was raised in Montreal, speaks fluent French, and has extensive experience in Canadian business development. The Canadian office will be South Carolina’s fourth international office; other offices are in Munich, Tokyo and Shanghai.