Tourism Winnipeg

Throughout 2022, our team engaged with Winnipeg's business community through special initiatives: » Boosting connectivity: In 2022, along with our partners at WestJet, Winnipeg Airports Authority and the Province of Manitoba, we announced new direct flights to Los Angeles. The first new major destination route out of Winnipeg since 2016, the LAX flights have boosted leisure travel and addressed the needs of our booming film industry. » CentrePort Canada infrastructure: During 2022, EDW worked with partners and private industry stakeholders to build a business case for multi-level government funding for trunk line water and wastewater infrastructure in CentrePort South. These investments are necessary to spur development in the area, and as a result, new residential, commercial and industrial properties will become available in the coming years. The Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg announced and allocated funding for CentrePort South infrastructure in 2022. Foreign Direct Investment Developing the pipeline for new inbound foreign investments In 2022, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) team focused its efforts on building and nurturing a healthy investment attraction pipeline. As a result, leads increased by more than 250 per cent over 2021. We concentrated on opportunities in agribusiness, advanced manufacturing and creative industries in our top three markets: the United States (U.S.), United Kingdom (U.K.) and France. In comparison to 2021, leads increased by 227 per cent in the U.S. market, 477 per cent in the U.K. and 617 per cent in France in the 2022 calendar year. In addition to lead generation, the FDI team: » Hosted a delegation of 11 technology companies from India. Led by the Canadian Consulate in Bangalore and NASSCOM, India's largest ICT association, the delegation visited cities in Western Canada including Winnipeg to understand value propositions. » Participated in the 2022 Canada Investment and Innovation Series to the U.S. organized by Global Affairs Canada in the cities of New York City, Boston and Chicago and met with U.S. businesses looking to expand into Canada. » Strengthened our relationships with federal partners, including Invest in Canada and Global Affairs Canada, especially in the U.S., France and the U.K., resulting in an increased flow of leads. Retention and growth of existing foreign direct investments The team has identified 133 foreign-owned companies with value-added operations in Manitoba. Approximately 65 per cent of parent companies are based in the United States, making the U.S. the largest source of foreign investments in Manitoba, followed by U.K., France, India, Japan and Germany. The team works closely with existing FDI companies in our city to understand their operations, opportunities and challenges, with the goal to foster a favourable business climate. In 2022, FDI conducted aftercare meetings with foreign-owned companies, including those headquartered in the U.S., France, U.K., Brazil, China, Japan, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the Netherlands. FDI also began meeting with regional headquarters in Canada and global headquarters to increase Winnipeg's visibility. Showcasing our jurisdiction's value proposition in global markets » FDI participated in the France–Canada Business Council organized by the Mouvement des entreprises de France (Movement of the Enterprises of France). We connected with French organizations promoting international links. connecting with French organizations promoting international links. » FDI organized a webinar, 'Come invest, work and live in Winnipeg, Canada,' targeted at Hong Kong companies and entrepreneurs considering a move to Canada. Session panelists from partner institutions included the Consul and Trade Commissioner Service and Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada in Hong Kong. » FDI had a presence at the World FDI Forum in Edinburgh, Scotland and the Canadian FDI Forum in Montreal where we met with site selectors and other economic development agencies to promote Winnipeg's advantages. » Our team participated in the investment attraction event 'Canada is open for your business' in Amsterdam organized by Global Affairs Canada. » FDI presented on Manitoba's key sectors to an international network of professionals at the Canadian Embassy to France in Paris. » FDI participated in a webinar organized by Consider Canada City Alliance, 'Thought Leadership Series: France' in partnership with the Trade Commissioner Service of Canada in France. » FDI participated in the Manitoban delegation to Los Angeles to celebrate the launch of WestJet's new direct flight to LAX. In addition to participating in the reception 18

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