The market place of North America

The economy of North America comprises more than 565 million people (8% of the world population) in
its 23 sovereign states and 15 dependent territories. It is marked by a sharp division between the
predominantly English speaking countries of Canada and the United States, which are among the
wealthiest and most developed nations in the world, and countries of Central America and the
Caribbean in the former Latin America that are less developed. Mexico and Caribbean nations of the
Commonwealth of Nations are somehow between the economic extremes of the development of North
America.

Mexico lies in between these two extremes as a newly industrialized country (NIC), and is a part of the
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development (OECD), being one of the only two Latin American members of this
organisation (together with Chile). The United States is by far the largest economy in North America and
the largest national economy in the world.

The US, Canada and Mexico have significant and multifaceted economic systems.[2] In 2011, the US has
an estimated per capita gross domestic product (PPP) of $47,200, and is the most technologically
developed economy in North America. The United States' services sector comprises 76.7% of the
country's GDP (estimated in 2010), industry comprises 22.2% and agriculture comprises 1.2%.

Canada's economic trends are similar to that of the United States, with significant growth in the sectors
of services, mining and manufacturing.Canada's GDP (PPP) was estimated at $39,400 in 2010.[3]
Canada's services sector comprises 78% of the country's GDP (estimated in 2010), industry comprises
20% and agriculture comprises 2%.

Mexico has a GDP (PPP) of $15,312, and per capita income is estimated at approximately one-third of
the United States'.The country has both modern and outdated industrial and agricultural facilities and
operations, and is modernizing in sectors such as energy production, telecommunications and airports.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation:

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a group of Pacific Rim countries which meet with the
purpose of improving economic and political ties. APEC's stated goals are aimed at free and open trade
and investments by cutting tariffs between zero and five percent in the Asia-Pacific area for
industrialised economies by 2010 and for developing economies by 2020.

The organisation has members from four continents, those from North America are Canada, Mexico and
the United States.

Caribbean Community:

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was created "To provide dynamic leadership and service, in
partnership with Community institutions and Groups, toward the attainment of a viable, internationally
competitive and sustainable Community, with improved quality of life for all".

- On January 1, 2006 six members: (Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and
Tobago) unofficially ushered in the Caribbean (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME).

- At the official signing of the protocol on January 30, 2006 in Jamaica, A further six members: (Antigua
and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines) announced their intention to join by the second quarter of 2006. Montserrat, a British
Oversees territory is awaiting approval by the United Kingdom. Haiti and the Bahamas have no
immediate plans to join.

Central American Free Trade Agreement:

The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) is an agreement between the United States and
the Central American countries of Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The
treaty is aimed at promoting free trade between its members. Canada and Mexico are negotiating
membership.

North American Free Trade Agreement:

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is an agreement between Canada, Mexico and the
United States to eliminate tariffs on goods traded between themselves.
Although currently only a trade agreement, with no supranational bodies or laws as in the European
Union, there have been various proposals to move towards a customs union or a North American
currency union. It is unknown whether this may eventually develop into a North American Union similar
to that of Europe.

Agriculture:

Agriculture is very important in Central American and Caribbean nations. In western Canada, in the
provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba, wheat and other various main
agricultural products are grown. The U.S. also has many states with significant agriculture production,
mainly in the central continental U.S. Mexico produces many tropical fruits and vegetables as well as
edible animals.

Manufacturing:

North America has developed and its manufacturing sector has grown. In the beginning the European
nations were the large manufacturing powers. At the start of the 1950s, the United States was a top
manufacturing power, with Canada and Mexico also making significant progress.

Service:

In Canada, the US and the Caribbean, service-based employment is a significant percentage of overall
employment. Many people work in stores and other retail locations. In Canada more than 70% work in
the services sector, with a similar percentage in the United States.

Investment and banking:

The United States leads North America in investment and banking. Canada, Mexico and most recently,
February 2011, El Salvador is growing in this sector. And smaller economic powers such as Guatemala,
Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama are also growing slowly in this sector.

Tourism:

Tourism is extremely important for the Caribbean economies, as they contain many beaches and have
warm climates. Skiing in Canada and the US is also important. Tourism of national parks and natural
landmarks, such as Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon in the United States, and Niagara Falls and
Moraine lake in Canada, contribute to the economy in these regions.
Compliance markets: United States – Subnational Programs

State of Maryland Forest Conservation Act

The State of Maryland’s Forest Conservation Plan establishes a threshold on forest land and requires
either retention on-site, afforestation on-site, afforestation off-site, or a payment to a county
compensation fund when development impacts forests. Conserved or afforested areas are permanently
conserved in a conservation easement. Off-site forest mitigation banking is authorized in five counties in
the state. The law is compliance-driven and comes into play during the development review process.

State of North Carolina’s Buffer Mitigation Program

Along with meeting federal regulations on wetlands and streams, developments in specific watersheds
in North Carolina impacting riparian buffers must meet mitigation requirements under the state’s
Riparian Buffer Protection Rule. Credit banking is allowed under the program.

Compliance markets: Canada – National Programs

Canada Fish Habitat (‘HADD’) Compensation

At the national level, the Fisheries Act and the 1986 Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat require
compensation for impacts to fish habitat in Canada, or more specifically “harmful alteration, disruption,
or destruction” (HADD) of fish habitat. Fish habitat compensation is regulated by the Department of
Fisheries and Oceans’ Fish Habitat Management Branch. The Fisheries Act includes the principle of no
net loss of the productive capacity of fish habitats, and authorization for impacts to fish habitat require a
permit. In applying for a permit, the applicant must show adherence to a mitigation hierarchy by
“relocation, redesign, and mitigation” and then compensation of net residual loss. Impacts on fish
habitat arise from: urban and industrial development, roads and highways, harbors and marinas,
forestry, agriculture, hydropower, and extractive industries.
Compliance markets: Canada – Subnational Programs

Alberta Wetland Compensation

Alberta has a 2007 Provincial Wetland Restoration/Compensation Guide that provides guidance on the
permit process, mitigation hierarchy, and compensation process under the 2000 Water Act. Although
the Guide was developed in 2005 (and revised in 2007), it has been used in practice for longer.
Compensation occurs though restoration of degraded wetlands.

Manitoba Wetland Compensation

Manitoba’s Infrastructure and Transportation agency is party to an agreement with crown corporation
Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC) to source compensation needs through MHHC. When
roads impact a North America Waterfowl Management Plan area, the transportation agency
compensates MHHC with funds to restore or rehabilitate wetlands and place a conservation easement
on the land.

New Brunswick Wetland Compensation

New Brunswick’s Wetlands Conservation policy of 2002 commits to no loss of “provincially significant
wetland habitat” and no net loss of wetland functions of all other wetlands greater than one hectare.
The policy also includes a mitigation hierarchy of avoid, minimize, and mitigate.

Nova Scotia Wetland Compensation

Nova Scotia’s Operational Bulletin Respecting Alteration of Wetlands guides regulators making decisions
on proposed impacts to wetlands under the 2007 Environment Act. The Bulletin uses the mitigation
hierarchy and gives preference to restoration and enhancement projects to create compensation.
Mitigation via creation or preservation of wetlands is allowed if used in conjunction with another
mechanism.
Prince Edward Island Wetland Compensation

Prince Edward Island has a policy that includes both no net loss and a mitigation hierarchy in its 2003
Wetland Conservation Policy. The policy also includes guidelines for how to compensate.

Voluntary markets

Candidate Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) supports several voluntary conservation programs meant to
proactively conserve species. Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances guarantee non-
federal landowners exemption from later conservation requirements if species are voluntarily protected
and are later listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Conservation banks developing candidate
species credits for voluntary buyers are being piloted in several states.

The USFWS is also crafting policy to underpin a voluntary crediting system for at-risk species not yet
listed under the ESA. Under the proposed policy, landowners generate credits for practicing
conservation activities that benefit declining wildlife or at-risk species. The credits can then be sold or
traded to a third party or, if the species is later listed, the credits can be used to offset actions that
negatively impact the species.

This new policy is expected to be implemented largely at the state level. Voluntary conservation would
take place in coordination with states’ conservation framework and existing wildlife plans.

North America Market Overview :

ECONOMY

North America is the world’s largest individual economy by GDP but is forecast to be taken over by
China and India.
It will remain a powerful player in the global economy especially for the development of new
technologies and the provision of investment capital.

TRADE

The Australia-US Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) has been in place since 2005 and 97% of Australia’s
non-agricultural exports (excluding textiles and clothing) are duty free and two-thirds of agricultural
tariffs have been eliminated.

There are no restrictions on moving capital in or out of the US or the repatriation of profits. In 2003, a
protocol amending the double taxation convention for Australia and the US entered into force followed
by an agreement between the Australian and the US government to improve international tax
compliance and to implement the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) on 30 June 2014.

INVESTMENT

North America remains the largest market for funding and commercialising innovative technologies and
already attracts many technology firms from Queensland and Australia.

Mining trucks hauling rubble in Mexico

NORTH AMERICA OPPORTUNITIES

CURRENT

1- Specialty food, beverage & nutritional products

2- Technology

3- METS

Future

1- Agricultural technology

2- Mining & resources technology

3- Miotechnology

4- Innovation

5- Health services
http://www.tiq.qld.gov.au/export/market-overviews/north-america/

http://www.ecosystemmarketplace.com/marketwatch/biodiversity/north-america/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_North_America