By Shazia Malik
The Reverse Vendor Tradeshow recently took place at the Brampton City Hall to help connect vendors with the people, tools, and processes for doing business in Brampton. Over 200 vendors participated in the event. A total of 225 vendors had registered to come out this year compared to last year, where around 190 vendors took part because the show is proving to be an important opportunity for businesses across the region.
James Macintyre, James Macintyre, Acting Commissioner, Corporate Services, City of Brampton, talked to Weekly Voice and explained the significance and objective of ‘Reverse Tradeshow’. James said: “Reverse Tradeshow means that instead of vendors setting up as exhibitors, the City departments are the exhibitors. Vendors get the opportunity to connect with City staff and learn about the types of procurement they can bid on. Each year, the City procures more than $250 million in goods and services from construction and Transit equipment to IT services and more.”
He added at the tradeshow, representatives from City divisions were available to answer questions and provided information on doing business with the City. James informed the city’s “Economic Development Office is currently working to refresh Brampton’s FDI strategy. Details of the same will be released towards June 2019. This work will build on the City’s Economic Development Master Plan to create a plan to attract new jobs and investment to Brampton.”
When asked that Brampton has greatly suffered due to flight of capital with the closures of Goodwill stores, Target and Sears outlets in recent times, so what is being done to safeguard other businesses – big or small, James said: “The City continues to work with the business community and partners to ensure the best climate for business growth in Brampton, including training, development support, and attracting new businesses.”
On the question of cutting red tape to make Brampton business-friendly, James informed: “The City’s new FDI strategy will also consider ways that Brampton can become more business-friendly, especially in the area of business permitting and timely approvals by City staff.”