MISSISSAUGA — Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses are putting a premium on people and are planning to use the resource to bolster business in the coming year.

According to the UPS Business Monitor Canada, almost one-third of Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) intend to increase their workforce in the coming year, with businesses in import and export being more than twice as likely to foresee near future expansion to their staff.

“The data clearly shows the positive effect global commerce has on the growth prospects of Canadian businesses,” said Amgad Shehata, vice-president of public affairs at UPS Canada. “The more a business expands beyond the limits of its domestic market, the more assertive it becomes on its short and long-term growth opportunities.”

Recruitment and retention strategies are top of mind for SMBs and 61 percent have already implemented policies attractive to employees, such as flexible working hours and parental leave.

SMBs currently involved in global trade say they want the government to put more money into economic research and development so that they can realize greater growth potential.

The UPS Business Monitor Canada study was conducted by TNS Canadian Facts on behalf of UPS Canada between March and April 2007.