NEWPORT — It's a relationship that is $1 billion per day strong, and one that Canadian officials hope to make stronger — with a boost from Kentucky and Ohio.

        Canada ranks as the top trading partner for most states — and 33 percent of Kentucky's exports go to Canada, John Tennant, consul general of the Canadian Consulate's Detroit office, said at a luncheon Wednesday.

        In Ohio, the number reaches almost 50 percent. Last year, Kentucky exported $3.7 billion worth of goods and services to Canada. Ohio sent $14 billion.

        Developing that relationship and exchanging information ranked as the top priorities for a two-day visit from Mr. Tennant sponsored by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

        “We're here to build partnerships and get to know one another,” said Mr. Tennant.

        Also during the visit, which concludes today, several members of the consulate are scheduled to meet one-on-one with area businesses.

        Greg Greene, the chair of the Chamber's International Trade Committee and an international corporate lender at Fifth Third Bank, added: “Our objective is to provide knowledge for the Northern Kentucky business community. When you decide to go international, you have to do your homework.”

        According to Mr. Tennant, the United States and Canada share the largest trade partnership in the world, with more than $1 billion per day in goods, serv ices and income exchanged between the two countries. About 7,000 trucks a day go over the Ambassador Bridge between Canada and Michigan, the No. 1 entry point into the United States, added Bob McNally, consul and trade commissioner with the Canadian Consulate.

        For Canada, Kentucky ranks ahead of China as a trading partner. According to statistics provided by the Canadian embassy, the North American Free Trade Agreement opened up trade between Canada and the United States, increasing the exchange of goods, services and income by one-third between 1988 and 1989.

        During his speech, Mr. Tennant said: “At this time of economic uncertainty in the U.S., we must resist sliding backwards and instituting protective measures. Instead, we must continue developing our trade relationships to the fullest.”

        In explaining the easy trade relationship between Canada and the United States, Mary Beth Warner, deputy commissioner for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Department of Community Development, said: “Canadians are familiar with Americans and American business, our TV programs, our advertising. Canadians travel back and forth to the U.S. easily and have developed relationships with our banks.”

        She added that when businesses that want to start exporting come to her, she recommends they start with Canada to learn the export business.

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