Embassy of Canada in France : Minister Fast Holds 'Go Global' Workshop in Kitchener-Waterloo to Boost Canadian Exports and Jobs

January 29, 2015 at 12:09 pm

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

January 29, 2015 - Waterloo, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, alongside Jayson Myers, President and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, today hosted an export workshop designed to 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 Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, was attended by more than 90 participants. Since Minister Fast launched this cross-country series in Richmond, British Columbia, on November 21, the Government of Canada has hosted six workshops across Canada, attended by 480 SME representatives.

In November 2013, Minister Fast released Canada's Global Markets Action Plan with the goal of doubling to 21,000 the number of Canadian 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 offering information and tools to SMEs that are exploring opportunities abroad.

As a result of a new trade agreement with the European Union and the entry into force of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement, Canadian businesses will soon benefit from preferential access to more than half of the entire global marketplace. Minister Fast invited participants to join his upcoming trade mission to South Korea, which will take place from February 8 to 13, 2015.

The next export workshop will be held in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, January 30, 2015.

Quick Facts

One in five Canadian jobs is dependent on exports, representing 60 percent of the country's economy.
There are more than one million SMEs across Canada, with 41,000 currently exporting.
Since 2006, the Harper government has concluded trade agreements with 38 countries, bringing the total to 43 countries.
Export Development Canada was named the best export credit agency by Global Finance magazine.

Quotes

"Our government is committed to working shoulder-to-shoulder with Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises in Kitchener-Waterloo and across the country to seize export opportunities and create jobs.

"We are breaking down the silos between our export agencies, taking a whole-of-government approach to exporting and providing the tools, services and information that you and your businesses need to succeed."

- Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade

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