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Conversations in Cleantech

What are the implications of cleantech for Canada as an export-oriented economy?

Gilles Rhéaume: Global markets for clean technologies will grow significantly in the coming years. Lightweight materials in motor vehicles and water management technology are a couple of the big opportunity areas: the first is expected to rise to US$106 billion by 2011 and the second to about US$1.6 trillion by 2017. And the worldwide markets for bio-fuels, wind power and solar power will each likely grow to more than US$75 billion by 2017.

John Ruffolo: Canada has all the makings to become a world-class player in the cleantech space. But we have to move quickly to develop a cohesive and strategic industrial policy that will cement the conditions for success.

Jayson Myers: To really capitalize on the opportunities at hand, Canada needs to develop a broad clean energy strategy. At the end of the day, innovation and investment will drive this country’s growth in the cleantech space. We need a strategy that encourages these things.

John Ruffolo: One of the biggest challenges facing Canadian clean technology companies is financing. It’s difficult for them to compete against those that have much greater financial resources at their disposal. This really is where SDTC plays a critical role in the Canadian financing ecosystem. SDTC is the initial or sole source of funding for many aspiring

Jayson Myers: Countries like China are making major investments in clean technology and we have to keep pace. Developing new technology is a high-risk game—and that can make investors nervous. SDTC helps offset much of the risk, which in turn encourages investment.

Gilles Rhéaume: In addition to financing we need mechanisms to help transfer new technologies from the lab to companies that can commercialize them. And we need the human resource support to grow these companies into globally competitive enterprises. I think public-private partnerships are an important part of the answer. Organizations like

Are there specifc challenges to overcome?

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