Minister Carr to talk investment and trade diversification in Kelowna, British Columbia
News release
August 20, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Opening new markets around the world increases the number of opportunities for Canadian businesses to sell their innovative, high-quality products and services while creating well-paying jobs for middle-class Canadians across the country.
On August 20 and 21, 2018, the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification, will travel to Kelowna, British Columbia, to promote Canada’s ambitious trade diversification strategy as part of ongoing #TradeTalks outreach across the country. The Minister will meet with representatives of innovative companies, entrepreneurs and workers in the Okanagan Valley from the aerospace, medical technologies, and information and communications technology sectors, as well as our world-famous wine growers.
This visit provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises in a diverse economy.
While in Kelowna, Minister Carr will make sure every sector, every business owner, would-be-exporter and entrepreneur knows about the benefits of the trade deals we have struck and are making now. From the Pacific to the Atlantic and beyond, there has never been a better time to diversify into and tap new markets. Our trade agenda is explicitly designed to ensure more Canadians have the access and capacity to compete and succeed.
Specifically, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) are landmark agreements that position Canadians for direct and real success in burgeoning markets.
Minister Carr will also visit the British Columbia Wine Institute and the Women’s Enterprise Centre where he will participate in a round-table discussion with members to highlight the federal programs and services available to help women entrepreneurs access new markets and international export opportunities.
Quotes
“We need more of our innovative business leaders and entrepreneurs engaged in trade and pursuing new and fast-growing markets around the world. Canada is rapidly becoming the most connected country in trade. Whether it is across the Atlantic or the Pacific, we are creating the right conditions for more Canadians to compete and succeed on the world stage.”
- Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification
Quick facts
-
British Columbia’s top global exports were valued at $44.6 billion in 2017.
-
B.C.’s exports to the European Union were valued at nearly $2.4 billion in 2017.
-
B.C.’s exports to CPTPP countries averaged a value of $5.1 billion (from 2015 to 2017).
-
The #TradeTalks tour is an initiative to engage directly with Canadian business people and help maximize international trade benefits for the middle class.
-
To date, the #TradeTalks tour has included stops in several regions in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Associated links
Contacts
Ann-Clara Vaillancourt
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade Diversification
343-203-7332
Ann-Clara.Vaillancourt@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaTrade
Like us on Facebook: Canada’s international trade - Global Affairs Canada