Beler success in Canadian border tender

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**TRW EXCLUSIVE** The Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency has awarded the long-anticipated Douglas crossing duty-free tender to Douglas Crossing Duty Free Inc, managing director Michael Beler has told TRW

The fiercely-contested tender attracted great interest from local operators, with at least two other parties, West Coast Duty Free and Canadian Duty Free Group (applying as Peace Arch Duty Free), known to have submitted applications.

Douglas Crossing Duty Free will operate a store on the prime site, owned by the Semiahmoo First Nation Indian band. The location was initially under an exclusive contract granting Peace Arch Duty Free the lease, until the agreement was renegotiated late in the application process.

The site in British Columbia has been vacant since former incumbent Heritage Duty Free relinquished its duty-free license in 2000 after failing to renegotiate its land lease with the owners.

More details, comment and reaction to follow shortly.