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SelectUSA chief stops by Oakville Chamber By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF On the day Steve Olson met with Canadian auto companies at the Toronto International Auto Show in Toronto, he also took some time to stop in Oakville and speak with local business leaders. Olson is the executive director of the U.S. Department of Commerce's SelectUSA, which is a U.S. government initiative to promote and facilitate investment in the United States. Olson was appointed to the position by president Barack Obama in 2011. "Oakville has a strong Chamber of Commerce and is home to notable global firms," Olson said in an e-mail to The Oakville Beaver about his reason for speaking with local businesses. "Oakville has also been a strong partner for the U.S. Steve Olson and Foreign Commercial Service colleagues in Toronto, and we look forward to highlighting their work together and explore possibilities for further collaboration," said the U.S. representative. Olson attended the private roundtable with members of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce earlier this month. Stop by for your free State Farm Insurance and Financial Review®. This was his first trip to Get to a better StateTM. Get State Farm®. Canada as executive director of SelectUSA. CONTACT A STATE FARM AGENT TODAY. He took the time to introduce SelectUSA to local business leaders as well as to answer questions about investing in the U.S. and engaged in a discussion of best practices with firms who have successfully invested in the U.S. Julia Hanna The morning of his Darryl R Demille Ins Agcy Ltd Andrew J Heideman, Agent Angelo Gualtieri, Agent Bartucci Ins and Fin Svcs Inc Stacey Sutherland, Agent Darryl R Demille, Agent Bus: 905-829-0018 Bus: 905-257-7773 Deborah Bartucci, Agent Bus: 905-339-3276 Oakville visit, he was in Toronto speaking with Bus: 905-842-1020 www.andrewheideman.ca www.angelogualtieri.com Bus: 905-337-3276 www.insuranceinoakville.com Canadian auto companies. www.darryldemille.ca www.autoinsuranceoakville.ca In those discussions, Olson said he highlighted the U.S. as an unparalleled global export platform, with access to an innovative and entrepreneurial labour market, protection of a strong legal and regulatory framework and an overall openness to cultures, ideas and people from around the world. Stephen Ostapchuk, Agent Michelle Cooper Ins and Fin Sv Grant Leslie, Agent Daniel Durst, Agent Olson also addressed Bus: 905-238-5643 Michelle Cooper, Agent Bus: 905-469-4499 Bus: 905-847-1898 concerns about the U.S. www.stephenostapchuk.ca Bus: 905-826-4900 www.grantleslie.ca www.danieldurst.com www.michellecooper.ca business climate and introduced SelectUSA as a key resource for companies interested in investing in the U.S. Olson said Canadian statefarm.ca® businesses are a significant John Sawyer source of economic value in the U.S. The foreign direct investment from Canada to the 1201622CN State Farm, Canadian Head Office, Aurora, Ontario United States is valued at $244 billion, making Canada the fourth largest source of investment in the U.S. worldwide. U.S. affiliates of Canadian companies employ more than half a million people. Olson answered questions from the Beaver through e-mail, not agreeing to an in-person or telephone interview. He did meet the Beaver's photographer for a photo-op. 9 · Friday, March 1, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Protect your family. Prepare for their future. We can help with both.