Hamilton’s economic development department is hosting four companies from Colombia who are interested in using Hamilton and Niagara as a launching pad into Canada.
The four businesses are in Hamilton and Niagara for a three-day boot camp on how to start or expand their business into the Canadian marketplace.
Jennifer Patterson, senior business development consultant with the City of Hamilton, says this week’s “boot camp” is the result of last year’s trade mission to Colombia.
She adds that the companies are “technology focused” and are exploring their place within Hamilton’s business environment.
Patterson says the itinerary includes a real estate tour of “soft landing” options such as McMaster Innovation Park, the Hamilton Technology Centre at Clappison’s Corners and co-sharing spaces like Co-Motion and the Cotton Factory. A “soft option” is a way to set up shop in an existing business environment without having to build everything from scratch.
She adds that “we are taking advantage” of the current political climate, which has companies in a number of South American countries “overlooking” the United States and looking to Canada as “a viable option.”
The Colombian companies are taking part in panel discussions and networking events on Monday, with tours of Hamilton planned from Tuesday.
On Wednesday, they will meet with economic development officials in Niagara Region and visit Niagara Falls.
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