A Banker’s Advice on Going Global:
A Q&A with the CFO of HSBC Bank Canada,
Jacques Fleurant, CPA, FCMA
Jacques Fleurant, CPA, FCMA, is the
Chief Financial Officer of HSBC Bank
Canada, a leading international
financial institution in Canada.
Jacques, who joined HSBC in 2000,
is a member of the Executive and
Risk Management committees and
the chair of the Bank’s Asset and
Liability Committee.
What’s the first piece of advice
you’d give to BC companies looking
to grow abroad?
Narrowing the markets to those that are most receptive
to your goods or services is the first step in expanding
your business internationally. Once you identify which
regions provide greater opportunity, you have to examine
which ones have a demand that your organization is able
to meet.
Secondly, don’t try to tackle international expansion all
by yourself. Build a team by surrounding yourself with
people who have done business internationally and
can help you understand the process. This team should
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include an accountant who has worked with companies
internationally, a banker who is globally connected to your
target market, a lawyer, and insurance agents, as well as a
freight forwarder if you plan to export hard goods.
What are the most promising trade
opportunities for BC companies now
and in the future?
Our research shows that more and more of the world’s
economic growth is taking place in emerging markets,
creating opportunities to establish new partnerships and
create new sources of revenue.
The latest HSBC Global Connections Trade Forecast Report
tells us that the fastest-growing markets for Canadian