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Projects

Following is a sampling of some of the many international and domestic consulting projects MacArthur Group has undertaken.

International

Note: The projects below include those undertaken through the Bureau for Interantional Development - PEI (BidPEI).

Our firm has worked in over 40 countries over the past 25 years. Some examples of current/recent projects (2004-2005):

  • Project manager for all activities undertaken by Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership (CASP), including...
    • Moscow
    • Establishment of CASP Centres of Excellence in Agro-Industry for Russia (2005) and Southeast Europe (2006).
    • Planning and delivery of Global Agro-Industry Challenges and Opportunities Conference in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (Fall 2005).
    • Recently completed International Finance Corporation/World Bank technical study of four large farms in the Moscow region as to management, technologies, investment potential, and priorities.
  • Marketing, economics and project management for CIDA INC funded Viability Study in Paraguay, led by the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) Inc. to assess the potential for modernization and expansion of a Tilapia fish farm into a major production and export operation for fresh Tilapia fillets to the USA.
  • Assessment of the market opportunity in Japan for a comprehensive group of agriculture and agri-food products to be marketed under the Anne of Green Gables brand.
  • Sixteen-member CASP Trade Mission to Russia and Serbia in September 2004, led by Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the PEI Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Aquaculture.
  • Initial viability assessment and project management, during the research and commercialization stage, of a gourmet seaweed-based compost marketed to home gardeners in Asia and North America.
  • Identification of North American markets and strategies for introduction of lines of medicinal herbs, fruit juices, and other agro-industry products from Serbia, and natural food sweeteners, organic food products, and leathers from Paraguay.
  • Incoming trade mission from Serbia to Canada in September - October 2004, accompanied by television crew from Serbia Today, which filmed a one-hour television program on the incoming mission's activities.
  • Identification of most promising international markets and development of resultant market strategies for various Canadian agro-industry clients in fresh and processed seafood, alternate energy systems, etc.
  • Project manager for a recently formed Vital Information Systems and Technologies for Agro-Management (VISTA Management), involving nine Canadian information systems and technologies companies, with goods and services interests and capabilities relating to large, integrated international agribusiness.
    • Meeting
  • Planned trade missions to Latin America and Asia in 2005.

Other recent projects include:

  • Aquaculture and Veterinary Services proposals for CIDA submission, funded by PEI Business Development Inc. and prepared for AVC (Atlantic Veterinary College) Inc. for projects in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
  • Conferences/Workshops including session chair and presentations at CIDA/Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Annual International Development Days Conference (2002); planning committee for CIDA/CEA Development Conference (2003); presentations for Atlantic Conference of International Cooperation (2002); etc.
  • International Development Opportunities Study for PEI Business Development Inc., to identify PEI individuals and organizations that have credentials and interest in international development and to develop a strategy to mobilize those capabilities.
  • Recent International Marketing Activities involving UPEI, AVC Inc., Spell Read, Food Technology Centre, MacQueen’s Travel, and others.
Egypt

Earlier projects include:

  • President Yeltsin-led 70-delegate business delegation to USA and Canada for 10 days, highlighted by the Bush-Yeltsin Business Summit in Washington DC.
  • Canadian executing agency for $5-million Professional Development Training Facility CIDA project in India in which our firm identified training needs of Indian public and private sector officials.
  • The China Conferences - Building Team Canada, held across Canada with Prime Minister as keynote speaker in Montreal and host Premiers in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Halifax.
  • National Export Strategy for the Canadian building products and related construction industry for CMHC and Industry Canada, involving consultations across Canada to assess needs and opportunities and resultant employment implications.
  • Agriculture and Related Procurement CIDA program evaluation in Zimbabwe.
  • Educational Institutions Equipment Procurement for fifteen vocational schools in Pakistan with EQUIPRO (UN procurement agency based in Geneva).
  • Going Global Conferences across Canada focusing on doing business in geographic regions such as Latin America and Eastern Europe.
  • Potato Development Projects in Jordan, Peru, Sri Lanka, and Egypt.
  • Agricultural Training Co-operative Project evaluation in India, involving 800,000 trainees, for World Bank.
  • Conferences on contract for government clients including CMHC's Housing Conference on Central and Eastern Europe held at Chateau Montebello and the US Department of Commerce North American Business Outlook (NABO) Conference.
  • Various CIDA Procurement and Natural Resources Development projects in Africa and Asia, including Blue Nile Forestry Project (Sudan); Fisheries Co-op Project (Philippines); Locust Spraying Program (Bangladesh); etc.
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Domestic

MacArthur Group has been prime consultant responsible for many of the most important economic development projects in Prince Edward Island, including:PEI

  • PEI Climate Change Strategic Plan for PEI Executive Council, with major Government of Canada participation. This initiative involves all sectors, communities, and individuals in PEI.
  • Principal consultant to analyze and identify gaps in all PEI Fixed Link studies, including analysis of employment impacts on Borden-Carleton and Cape Tormentine areas caused by ferry closure, for Public Works Canada.
  • Planning for what is now the Delta Prince Edward Hotel and Convention Centre.
  • Analysis of the economic/employment impact of CFB Summerside Base closure for Greater Summerside Area Chamber of Commerce.
  • Province-wide analysis of retail sector and resultant legislation to limit/control shopping centre development across PEI.
  • Evaluations of employment and other impacts of major PEI Comprehensive Development Plan sectors.

Other economic development studies that demonstrate experience and understanding of the Atlantic economy and regions/sectors include:

  • 2004 Sustainable Agriculture Strategy.
  • 2003 Indoor Soccer Facility Study.
  • 2002 Southeast PEI Tourism Strategy.
  • 2002 Miminegash Compost Study.
  • 2002 O’Leary Wildlife Federation Study.
  • 2001 PEI Dairy Breeding Stock Industry Study.
  • 2001 Milltown Cross Eco-tourism Study.
  • 2001 International Island Games Hosting Feasibility Study.

Much of our work is for private sector and institutional clients including:

  • Ongoing management of the export consortium, Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership (CASP).
  • 2003 Innovation Strategies for IT and related companies, including Engineering Technologies of Canada and Canadian Cable Ad Productions.
  • 2003 Victoria Harbour Inn and Conference Centre Business Plan.
  • 2001 HardTime Harvesters and faculty of Dalhousie University Business Plan.

MacArthur Group has established credibility and experience in major policy studies and strategic plans. The following are recent examples of such studies/projects in which our firm has been prime consultant:Culture

  • Five Year Cultural Strategy for PEI for the Provincial Government.
  • Five Year PEI Arts and Heritage Stabilization Strategy for Bronfman Foundation, Community Foundation of PEI, Department of Canadian Heritage, ACOA, and PEI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.
  • Five-Year PEI Sport Strategy for Sport PEI and PEI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.

In short, senior decision-makers at the federal, provincial and corporate level often look to our firm to develop data, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations that can then be acted upon in a policy context.

Recent studies with a labour market component in which we have been the prime consultant include:

  • 2003 - PEI Climate Change Strategic Plan, a major study involving all sectors (e.g. manufacturing/processing, agriculture and forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, transportation) being impacted by climate change. Also, identification of potential economic/employment impacts/opportunities in other sectors, such as technology (geographic information systems), other knowledge industries (e.g. bio-sciences, islands studies).
  • 2002 - PEI Agricultural Equipment Training Needs Assessment for Agriculture Human Resources Development Council, funded by LMDA. This was a major study to assess labour shortages in equipment repair at the farm, golf course, and related industry levels, and to assess the viability of a proposed new agricultural equipment repair training centre in PEI to service Atlantic Canada.
  • 2002 - Southeast PEI Tourism Strategy to assess tourism development opportunities and resultant employment impacts (new employment, lengthened season) on the southeast PEI economy. The study was funded by ACOA and PEI Development and Technology.
  • 2002 - PEI Sport Strategy to develop a five-year sport strategy for PEI and to determine the volunteer and paid staff implications. Major issues in PEI sport are increasing levels of burn-out among volunteers and the low remuneration rates for existing paid sport positions at all levels (e.g. municipal, association).
  • 2001 - Western PEI Employment Strategy for Resources West, funded by HRDC. This study addressed all sectors of the Western PEI labour market and recommended remedial measures. We worked closely with the West Prince Growth and Development Circle (an informal network of about 25 labour market stakeholder groups) and other organizations. The study recommended an Employment Summit and other initiatives, which are underway.
  • 2001 - Skills Working Group Action Plan for LMDA to recommend a plan of action for the working group’s activities. This involved meetings with key association officials in various sectors of the PEI economy, plus government and other stakeholders.

Earlier labour market projects include:

  • Community development studies for industrial/economic development organizations across PEI, including West Prince, Evangeline, Summerside Area, Kensington Area, Charlottetown Area, Three Rivers, and Souris. All of these and many other studies undertaken by our firm included identification and assessment of labour force issues/opportunities/impacts.
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