Ultimately, it will allow Manitoba companies to focus on highly targeted global markets and opportunities. This will lead to greater competitiveness, expanded trade in existing markets, trade with new markets, improved skills and more high-quality jobs for Manitobans.

This project will lead to the identification of specific trade opportunities and execution of activities* that seek to capitalise on those opportunities.

• Digital & Precision Agriculture
• Proteins
• Next Generation Buses
• Transportation & Logistics
• Aerospace
• Urban Economy Cluster (digital services, insurance, creative & cultural)

“Clusters are geographic concentrations of interconnected companies and institutions in a particular field. Clusters encompass an array of linked industries and other entities important to competition. They include, for example, suppliers of specialized inputs such as components, machinery, and services, and providers of specialized infrastructure. Clusters also often extend downstream to channels and customers and laterally to manufacturers of complementary products and to companies in industries related by skills, technologies, or common inputs. Finally, many clusters include governmental and other institutions—such as universities, standards-setting agencies, think tanks, vocational training providers, and trade associations—that provide specialized training, education, information, research, and technical support.”

https://hbr.org/1998/11/clusters-and-the-new-economics-of-competition

Throughout the world, clusters are known by various terms, such as Centres of Excellence, Competence Networks, Innovation Hubs, Industrial Poles, Localised Industry, Smart Specialisations, etc.

“Clusters affect competition in three broad ways: first, by increasing the productivity of companies based in the area; second, by driving the direction and pace of innovation, which underpins future productivity growth; and third, by stimulating the formation of new businesses, which expands and strengthens the cluster itself. A cluster allows each member to benefit as if it had greater scale or as if it had joined with others formally—without requiring it to sacrifice its flexibility.”

https://hbr.org/1998/11/clusters-and-the-new-economics-of-competition

Benefits:

1. Enhanced access to advanced services, specialized knowledge;
2. Enhanced visibility and potential for global brand recognition;
3. Enhanced business networking, including improved access to firms with complementary knowledge;
4. Enhanced influence;
5. Being an insider through better access to knowledge;
6. Evolving business strategy; businesses become more focused as their place in the ecosystem is well defined.

Dr. Gregory Spencer, an independent economic development consultant with specific expertise in clusters and innovation ecosystems was contracted by the WTC Winnipeg to complete the analysis.

He has 20 years of experience working with public sector clients on economic development and cluster strategies. In addition to his consulting work Dr. Spencer has published research in top peer-reviewed academic journals such as the Journal of Economic Geography and Regional Studies. He has also published op-eds on topics of economic development in top mainstream media outlets such as The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, and The Guardian (Online).

Dr. Spencer has a Bachelor’s Degree (Honours) in Geography from Bishop’s University, a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning (M.Sc.Pl.) from the University of Toronto, and a Ph.D. in Economic Geography from the University of Toronto. He is highly proficient in Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS), Social Network Analysis (Gephi), and advanced quantitative analysis of metropolitan economies.

The Trade Action Plans will feature:

• A definition of the cluster;
• Identification of the key trade strengths and promising trade markets: recap of the recommendations from the report “Towards a Trade Strategy for Manitoba” and input from additional stakeholder consultations;
• Identification of stakeholders;
• Description of the key trade considerations: obstacles that must be addressed in order to maximise the potential success of the cluster;
• Activities for trade: identification of the activities to be undertaken by the WTC Winnipeg, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders;
• Timelines of anticipated activities;
• Anticipated outcomes: definitions and targets to demonstrate measurable impact of coordinated efforts to advance the cluster through trade.

Of note, while the report “Towards a Trade Strategy for Manitoba” focuses on the five key themes that underpin the growth and development of each of the identified clusters, the WTC Winnipeg will focus on creating programs and strategies for the “Trade” theme. We will work with partners who seek to work within the other.

The WTC Winnipeg will develop the Trade Action Plans in collaboration with governments, public agencies, and most importantly, Manitoba businesses.

Stakeholders will be invited to provide input and feedback so that the final product identifies the specific and concrete activities that will be undertaken by the WTC Winnipeg, in support of businesses, to enhance the cluster’s competitiveness.

The planned activities will largely reflect current best practice in trade development. It will be comprised of events such as seminars, trade missions, specialized workshops, and matchmaking opportunities. The objective is to establish a set of actions which will increase trade activity in each cluster. It explains why it remains very important for the plans to be vetted by key stakeholders (for coherence) and the private sector (for relevance). A coordinated approach to develop meaningful programming, as defined by the companies themselves, is the ultimate objective.

Give us your input! We want the initiatives undertaken this project to work for you. Please sign up to receive emails, participate in roundtable consultations and provide us with your input.

Your support of this project goes a long way to help ensure a coordinated approach to increasing competitiveness in the province. We invite you to:

• Sign up to participate in roundtable discussions;
• Provide input on Trade Action Plans (in group discussions or one-on-one);
• Assist us in identifying and approaching companies relevant to specific clusters;
• Support initiatives proposed by those who seek to formalise clusters.

As stated in the report: “COVID-19 will not fundamentally change what the province’s top capabilities are.” As such, despite a few slight adjustments, the findings of the report remain well-founded. For more detail, please refer to the COVID-19 Prologue (p. 5) of the report “Towards a Trade Strategy for Manitoba”.

From a practical standpoint, digital platforms will be leveraged to ensure the activities (meetings with foreign stakeholders, roundtable consultations, education, etc.) can be undertaken effectively and safely.

The project is funded by Western Economic Diversification though its Regional Innovation Ecosystems program. Financial and in-kind support are also provided by the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg.

The lead on this initiative is Derek Earl, Vice-President, WTC Winnipeg.

Feel free to connect with him directly should you have any questions:
dearl@wtcwinnipeg.com
204.289.4092