SMEs say trade is key to economic growth: FedEx survey
By PLANT STAFF
Economy Industry Manufacturing economic growth Fedex manufacturing SMEs tradeBut 48% of respondents say variations in fees and tariffs have been a major challenge.
Most of SMEs (57%) believe increasing the amount of trade between Canada and other countries will help their businesses.
PHOTO: THINKSTOCK
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Canadian small and medium businesses (SMEs) believe economic growth and international trade are closely linked.
A survey by Morning Consult on behalf of the Canadian subsidiary of global courier FedEx Corp. shows 83% of respondents agree increasing trade with other countries will improve the economy overall.
Most SMEs (57%) believe increasing international trade will help their businesses, but only 37% are currently selling goods online, compared to 44% of American SMEs.
Eighty-one per cent of the companies say fees and tariffs have had a great deal or some effect on the growth of their businesses. Nearly half (48%) say variations have been a major challenge, and fees (44%) have been a major challenge.
SMEs support both NAFTA (90%) and USMCA (86%).
The poll was conducted from Sept. 17-20, among 500 SME Canadian decision makers. The margin of error is plus or minus four percentage points.
