Welcome to Prospect and Retrospect, the first edition of a reflective newsletter from Maple Trade Finance. This electronic publication comprises a series of articles written reflecting on the past year (2008) and looking ahead to the seemingly uncertain times of 2009. The articles, written by a diverse group of financial, economic and business experts, are meant to provide some interesting reflections on the economic and financial world to today, in Canada and beyond.
At Maple Trade Finance, we are excited about the publication, and are grateful to our contributors who have generously contributed this special collection of articles that we hope will be of interest, insightful and benefit to our clients, our business partners, and other interested readers. Simply click on the titles below, and the full article will appear. The articles are short, profound and to the point – each written from a slightly different business perspective, reflecting the various segments of the financial and business worlds our contributors represent.
Each article provides falls within the theme, Prospect and Retrospect. The articles are short, but to the point. I think you will find them well worth the few minutes of your time that it will take to read them. Or pick and choose as you wish.
Dr. J. Colin Dodds, Professor of International Finance and President of Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, provides a global perspective of the events of the past few months, how they may actually fit into a continuum, and of what we can expect looking forward.
Peter Hall, Senior Economist with Canada’s Export Development Corporation, based in Ottawa, reviews the economic climate with a view to helping us all understand how much we should allow ourselves to be intimidated or encouraged by all the dire forecasts blasting us daily in the media.
Andrew McCreath, Senior Portfolio Manager with Sentry Select Capital Corporation of Toronto, and a frequent TV Business commentator, takes a look at the stock markets, in Canada especially, and analyzes what has happened, and what we can expect over the next few months.
Keith Milloy, President of Canadian Financial Insurance Brokers Ltd., and a specialist in Accounts Receivable Insurance (ARI), takes a hard look at the changing world of ARI, and the impacts of the credit crunch on the accessibility and cost of insurance in the new emerging world.
On a slightly different tack, but in a very interesting way, Dr. David Wheeler, Dean of the School of Administration at Dalhousie University, Halifax, explores how our pensions and pension plans may be impacted by the emerging and changing economy of the years ahead.
Hopefully, these pieces will provide some insights and understanding of the events taking place in the world of today. As for Maple Trade Finance, Chief Operating Officer, Michael Miller outlines how this new financial world may well create exciting new opportunities for Maple Trade Finance.
Indeed, as we go to press, I am pleased to report, with our year end of September 30, we had a great year in fiscal 08, and, believe it or not, are off to an even better year in 09. Certainly, as we continue to grow, we look forward in 2009 in continuing to serve our clients, and having them joined by others.
I would very much welcome your feedback on Maple Trade’ Prospect and Retrospect. I welcome your comments as well as your suggestions as to whether you would like to see us do future issues, and what sort of content you would find to be of benefit and interest to you.
Have a great 2009!
Carole-Ann Miller, President
Maple Trade Finance
Halifax, Nova Scotia