International business exchange program launched in Barrie amid trade uncertainty

The Barrie Chamber of Commerce launched an initiative in response to tariff concerns, connecting Barrie with its international twin city.

With ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States creating uncertainty for many industries, the Barrie Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Barrie BIA have teamed up to help local businesses expand their reach overseas.

The two organizations have officially launched the ‘Barrie-Harrogate Twin City Exchange’ - a new initiative aimed at connecting Barrie businesses with counterparts in Harrogate, England, a town in North Yorkshire with strong ties to tourism and manufacturing.

“There would be some interesting connections,” said Paul Markle, Barrie Chamber of Commerce CEO. “And it’s not just the connections with them specifically in Harrogate, it would be connections to the UK and who they know. You know, in the UK that can make other connections. So, these kinds of reciprocal agreements and back and forth generally lead to other conversations that get expanded out.”

Barrie has had a sister-city relationship with Harrogate since 2013, but this latest effort marks a new phase in the partnership. The focus is now on creating real business connections in similar sectors, with support from both cities’ chambers of commerce and downtown associations.

The program is in its early stages, with officials reaching out to business owners to gauge interest and gather information. The Chamber and BIA are currently accepting applications from those interested in exploring partnerships abroad. So far, there has been a strong response, with eight businesses signed up within the first few hours of the launch.