Supporting and partnering with small and medium-sized businesses to seize opportunities abroad is a key part of our pro-export, pro-jobs plan, says Minister Fast
November 21, 2014 - Richmond, British Columbia - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today kicked off the first in a series of export workshops in communities across Canada. These workshops will provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the tools and practical information they need to take advantage of international business opportunities to export. Today’s workshop in Richmond, British Columbia, was attended by more than 90 participants.
Last year, Minister Fast released the Global Markets Action Plan with the goal of doubling to 21,000 the number of Canada’s SMEs exporting to emerging markets. In support of this goal, Minister Fast instructed Canada’s export agencies to enhance their coordination, closely align their activities and facilitate referrals in order to better serve and be responsive to the needs of SMEs.
By bringing together the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, Export Development Canada, the Business Development Bank of Canada and the Canadian Commercial Corporation, these export workshops, delivered in partnership with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, provide a one-stop shop for information and tools available for SMEs exploring opportunities abroad.
Following new trade agreements with the European Union and South Korea, Canadian businesses will soon benefit from preferential access to more than half of the entire global marketplace.
The next export workshops will be held in Mississauga, Ontario, on Friday, November 28 and Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Friday, December 5, 2014.
“Our government is committed to working shoulder-to-shoulder with Canadian small and medium sized businesses to seize export opportunities by bringing the tools, services and information they need to succeed.
We are breaking down the silos between our export agencies, taking a whole-of-government approach to export and bringing the resources to you and your businesses to create jobs and opportunities in every region of the country.”
- Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade
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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