What is a Canada Trade Mission

Canada Trade Missions are a unique partnership in Canada's international business development efforts to increase trade and investment, as well as create jobs and growth in Canada. They help build prestige and credibility for Canada, while helping exporters to position themselves in foreign markets.

Canada Trade Missions follow the same format as Team Canada Missions but are usually smaller in scale and are led by the Minister of International Trade. Provincial Trade Ministers are invited to take part in these missions.

Canada Trade Missions send a strong message to prospective partners that Canada is committed to doing business with them. The presence of the Minister of International Trade facilitates access to key economic decision-makers for Canadian firms and provides greater public profile to business participants, helping them network with the local business community.

Each Canada Trade Mission draws business representatives from a number of identified business focus sectors which are deemed to hold the greatest mutual promise for new business development with the mission destination countries.

Trade missions are about opening doors and developing long-term trade and investment opportunities in foreign markets for Canadian businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, women, youth, aboriginal entrepreneurs and new exporters.

Previous ministerial-led Canada Trade Mission destinations include India and China in 2005; Brazil in 2004; South Africa-Nigeria-Senegal in 2002; Mexico in 2002; India in 2002; Morocco-Algeria-Spain-Portugal in 2000; Hungary-Slovakia-Czech Republic-Slovenia in 2000; Russia in 2000; Australia in 2000; Ireland in 1999; United States (San Francisco, Silicon Valley) in 1999; Saudia Arabia-United Arab Emirates-Israel-West Bank/Gaza in 1999; Poland-Ukraine 1999; Italy in 1998 and Brazil-Argentina-Chile in 1995.