Parliamentary Secretary Alghabra to talk trade diversification in Waterloo, Ontario

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

January 14, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Government of Canada’s commitment to diversify international market access for Canadian businesses of all sizes broadens their opportunities to sell innovative products and services around the globe while creating high-quality jobs for middle-class Canadians across the country.

Today, Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Diversification, along with the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo, will be in Waterloo to discuss how Canada’s Trade Diversification Strategy is supporting Canadian companies to access new global markets.

While in Waterloo, they will meet with representatives of the Onward Manufacturing Company, a BBQ manufacturer, about how the elimination of import tariffs under the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) can help them expand their market in the EU.

Canada’s Trade Diversification Strategy sets an ambitious target of increasing exports by 50% by 2025. To support businesses of all sizes in that effort, the Government of Canada announced new measures as part of the 2018 Fall Economic Statement that will: 

  • expand resources to small and medium-sized enterprises to help them explore new export opportunities;
  • enhance trade services to Canadian exporters, both at home and abroad; and 
  • help Canadian innovators add value, succeed and grow their businesses.

Quotes

“Canada’s Trade Diversification Strategy provides businesses with the export-support resources they need to fully capitalize on opportunities available in valuable international markets, including the EU.”

- Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Diversification

Quick facts

  • The Trade Diversification Strategy will invest $1.1 billion over the next six years, starting in 2018 to 2019, to help Canadian businesses access new markets.

  • Over the past five years, Canadian exports to EU countries of gas-fueled non-electric cooking appliances (for example, BBQs) have increased considerably. For instance, in 2017, Canada exported appliances valued at $17.5 million to the Netherlands, up from $880,000 in 2012—a 1,881% increase.

  • CETA provides businesses with unprecedented access to a market of 500 million people.

Associated links

Contacts

Isabella Brisson-Urdaneta
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade Diversification
343-203-7332
Isabella.Brisson-Urdaneta@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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