The message was that future commerce would be conducted on a worldâ€"wide basis and that Canadians should pursue these foreign markets. It will not be sufficient to just include the United States in your business plan but you also have to exploit the expanding economies of Asia and Latin America. From the questions asked, it was evident that several companies were successfully exporting their products now. But there was frustration from some that the government was doing a poor job of informing the business community of changing international trade reculations. The same global perspective has become popular over the last several years with individual investors. International investing has been a good method for individuals to balance and diversify their portfolios. Canadians have discovered that Canada represents less than 3% of the world economy. To be successful in the future, it is imperative to look beyond our borders. Information is the key in business and is particularly critical in foreign markets. Mr. MacLaren suggested that the chartered banks could be a possible outlet for this information It‘s time for Canadian business to think global e spirit of free trade is alive and well I in Oakville. And this is true for both companies and investors. Earlier this week over 100 business people attended a breakfast seminar hosted by the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. The guest speaker was federal International Trade Minister Roy MacLaren. Entrepreneur breaking new environmental ground Sue Woollard: environmentally friendly sanitary products | THE O The same requirement is true for investors. Because it is difficult to get information in foreign markets, investors have relied on the professional management available through mutual funds. A mutual fund firm will have wellâ€" developed sources of information and contacts in target countries in order to be aware of market details. There was a recent article explaining how one mutual fund manager had developed his sources of His goal would seem to be to keep the federal government‘s involvement to a minimum because of the future economic need to shrink the size of government. But to be realistic, the banks have to use their full resources in competing in the very complex and everâ€"changing financial services market and will not likely want to assume a major role in distributing international trade information. Regardless of how executives receive this information, it is important that they be well informed. We have entered the ‘information age‘ and businesses must receive information in order to compete effectively. because of the 8,000 branches that operate in communities across Canada. The future is clear. We have expanded our horizons from a Canadian population of approximately 30 million to a world of several billion. Peter Watson, MBA, CFP, RFP is the president of Peter Watson Investments Limited, an Oakville firm specializing in retirement planning, RRSPs and investment planning. He can be reached at 842â€" 7602. information years before starting to invest in a specific country. So whether it‘s for business or personal investmentsâ€"think elobal. More determined than most wouldâ€"be inventors, she pursued her ideal relentlessly, succeeding in getting her product to the globhl market. Last month she cashed her first royalty cheque. Iln 1990 Sue Woollard had a brainstorm. Woollard, of Oakville, has designed the first washable cotton sanitary pad to be distributed in the United States, Europe and Canada by a company with international clout â€" Vancouverâ€"based Indisposables Cotton Diaper Company. The firm is now manufacturing the pads and selling them through its network of more than 1,000 distributors worldwide. Why a washable cotton pad? Many women are concerned about using disposable paper products that are bleached "whiter than white" with chlorine bleach. They could contain minute residues of dioxin and furan, both toxic byâ€"products of the bleaching process, as cited in books such as Whitewash by Liz Armstrong and Adrienne Scott (Harper Perennial, 1992). Others fear toxic shock syndrome (which has been associated with tampons), or have had allergic reactions to the deodorants and plastics used in disposables. From the time Woollard first heard about washable, reusable sanitary pads, she never stopped thinking about her idea. She researched the environmental and health issues, examined competing products.and designed and sewed prototypes. by 1992 she was ready to talk to Gord Storie, president of Indisposables Cotton Diaper Company. After their meeting, Stories agreed that Woollard‘s product was the best thoughtâ€"out and designed of the 16 competitors‘ products she had shown him. Soon after, they negotiated a license agreement, and market trials began. At the same time, environmentalists decry the dumping of 1.7 billion pads and tampons into landfill sites in Canada each year. A woman throws away 10,000 pads and tampons in her lifetime, plus packaging containers and plastic wrappers. Using washable cotton is more economical too. Over five years, a woman could save up to An overwhelming 93% of the women who participated in the market trials approved theâ€" product and said they would very likely buy it. The testers said the pads were comfortable, absorbent, easy to wash, and convenient. What‘s next for Woollard? She wants to raise both the level of awareness and sales of washable cotton pads in general so that they become mainstream. ." For more information about Indisposable Washable Cotton Sanitary Pads from Indisposables Cotton Diaper Company, call 1â€" 800â€"663â€"1730. Luxurious EREEHOLD townhome with over 2,000 sq. ft. of living space. Special features include upâ€" graded broadloom, F.P., C/A, CN, 3 BRs and enâ€" suite. Come see for yourself. BOB VAN de VRANDE 332â€"4111. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1994 Page 21 FIRST OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 2â€"4 P.M. 1069 LINDSAY DR. i 0S