The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service

An evolving world of trade knowledge

February 1, 2006

In the export business, having the right information, making the right contacts and getting the right business leads are essential to our clients' international success.

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service has more than 900 trade commissioners in over 150 offices at home and abroad, working to open doors for Canadian exporters. Communicating quickly and effectively with clients is our priority. To that end, we have embraced technologies and processes that support international business. With the launch of InfoExport.gc.ca in the 1990s, we began providing Canadian exporters with access to information on many markets and sectors. As emerging technologies allowed for more one-to-one communication, we realized that we could develop a more powerful, customized channel to suit exporters’ information and service needs. As a result of extensive consultations with both clients and trade commissioners around the world, the Virtual Trade Commissioner (VTC) was created.

The rise of the VTC: Access to personalized information and services

The VTC offers immediate access to information, resources and exporting services. Based on preferences, you receive in-depth country information, market reports and timely, sector-specific news delivered right to you, whenever you decide. Secure and personalized, your VTC gives you access to information about trade events and missions, as well as the ability to register for networking opportunities or to set up a face-to-face briefing with a trade commissioner in Canada or in your target market.

The rise of the VTC has been impressive; by March 2005—just two and a half years after its introduction—VTC subscription reached over 15,000 qualified Canadian exporters and partner clients. The VTC has also undergone substantial service improvements; with the implementation of a new electronic client relationship management system, subscribers will soon be able to see the status of their requests directly on their screens.

VTC and the partnership era

In order to provide exporters with the expertise of Canada’s international trade specialists in an easy-to-use framework, the Virtual Trade Commissioner is now partnering with a growing number of government departments and trade promotion organizations. These include Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Heritage, Export Development Canada and the Canadian Commercial Corporation.

Through the VTC, you can now have access to more comprehensive services and information to help you refine your export strategy, receive sector-specific and financial advice and secure export financing. You can also manage risk with credit checks on potential buyers and receivables insurance. International contracting specialists can even help you close deals and offer the backing of the Canadian government.

Exponential value: What the VTC means for you

Your Virtual Trade Commissioner is one of the most sophisticated on-line trade service and information tools—an ever-growing source for export contacts, links and reports matched to your specific international business interests. Exporters will experience increasing benefits from the integration of partners’ information and services.

The more you use your Virtual Trade Commissioner, the more you will leverage your global advantage. Your VTC helps to bring your business to the world—and the world to your business—every time you visit.

Find out more at www.infoexport.gc.ca.