May 1, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today met with his Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) Advisory Board to develop next steps in a partnership that is focused on supporting Canadian workers and businesses as they continue to find success in new markets.
Under Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan (GMAP), the Harper government is focusing on sectors and markets that offer the greatest opportunity for growth, as well as on continued trade promotion and an ambitious trade policy, ensuring SMEs have the market access they need to export, grow and prosper.
Minister Fast encouraged SMEs to take advantage of the recently concluded free trade agreement with South Korea—Canada’s first free trade agreement in Asia—and to position themselves for the Canada-European Union trade agreement, which will provide preferred access to and opportunities in the largest and most lucrative market in the world.
The Harper government is supporting Canadian SMEs in numerous ways, including through Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Canadian Commercial Corporation, by cutting red tape for Canadian businesses and by leading sector-focused trade missions.
Photo: Minister Fast with the members of his Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Advisory Board.
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“Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses are job creators for hard-working Canadians in every region of the country. Our government is committed to helping them grow, expand and succeed in new markets around the world, which we know creates new jobs and opportunities here at home.”
- Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade
“We applaud the government’s commitment to responding to the needs of Canadian businesses today and the competitiveness of the global marketplace by providing SMEs with the tools and services they need to achieve success in Canada and abroad. The tools, services and support provided by the government are helping the critical SME sector find new markets and new customers, which is good for the economy, good for Canadian jobs and proof Canada can compete and win anywhere in the world.”
- Jim Reynolds, Chair, SME Advisory Board
Shannon Gutoskie
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade
613-992-7332
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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