OTTAWA, April 24, 2013 /CNW/ - The Scotiabank Emerging Markets Forum featured a panel discussion today with some of the country's leading authorities on emerging market economic trends and export opportunities for Canadian businesses.

"By mid-century, emerging markets are predicted to account for 70% of global trade said Gillian Riley, Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking at Scotiabank. "Right now, less than 12% of Canada's exports go to those markets."

All presentations from the conference will be archived on the Scotiabank Media Centre at http://media.scotiabank.com/cdaen/multimedia/mc-videos.html

"Over the past several years, emerging markets have become major players in global economic growth," added Ms. Riley, the event's Master of Ceremonies. "It's not just India and China. By 2030, the individual GDPs of Turkey, Indonesia, Mexico, Vietnam and Nigeria are on pace to surpass Canada's. Scotiabank has long recognized the great potential and we've been in some of these markets for well over a century."

Panelists' at the Scotiabank Emerging Markets Forum included: Warren Jestin, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Scotiabank; Pablo Breard, Vice President, International Research, Scotiabank;  Jayson Myers, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters; and Todd Winterhalt Vice President, International Business Development, Export Development Canada (EDC).

Scotiabank provides clients with in-depth research into the factors shaping the outlook for Canada and the global economy, including macroeconomic developments, currency and capital market trends, commodity and industry performance, as well as monetary, fiscal and public policy issues. For more Scotiabank economic publications visit http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,3112,00.html.

Scotiabank is a leading multinational financial services provider and Canada's most international bank. With more than 82,000 employees, Scotiabank and its affiliates serve some 19 million customers in more than 55 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a broad range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. In December 2012, Scotiabank became the first Canadian bank to be named Global Bank of the Year and Bank of the Year in the Americas by The Banker magazine, a Financial Times publication. With assets of $736 billion (as at January 31, 2013), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

SOURCE: Scotiabank