March 13, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Canada is tapping new markets and linking Canadian entrepreneurs with new customers around the world so their businesses can expand, create well-paying jobs across the country and enhance Canada's prosperity.
Building on the successful Canadian launch of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in Vancouver last month, the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification, will today deliver remarks on the importance of trade diversification at the University of Saskatchewan's Edwards School of Business in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Tomorrow, March 14, Minister Carr will be the keynote speaker at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities 2019 annual convention, discussing the benefits of trade deals such as the CPTPP for Saskatchewan exporters and the importance of inclusive trade.
Recently, Minister Carr led a cross-Canada tour with Canadian trade commissioners involved in the Asia-Pacific region to highlight expanding opportunities available to Canadian businesses in the region's dynamic and growing markets. On the tour, more than 1,500 representatives of Canadian companies participated in seminars as well as in one-on-one meetings with trade commissioners and trade policy and funding experts to learn how their businesses can benefit from Canada's trade diversification strategy.
To help Canadians take advantage of Canada's trade agreements and access to new markets, the Government of Canada is investing $1.1 billion in programs and services that:
- provide resources to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them explore new export opportunities;
- enhance trade services for Canadian exporters; and
- help Canadian innovators add value, succeed and grow their businesses.
"Helping businesses in Saskatchewan and across Canada to compete and succeed in international markets is vital to the Canadian economy. With trade deals in place giving Canadian businesses improved access to 1.5 billion new customers, we've spent a few weeks talking to those businesses about how they can make the most of that. Together, we will seize the opportunities to grow our markets and create high-quality jobs and inclusive economic growth."
- Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification
Quick facts
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The CPTPP is a free trade agreement between Canada and 10 other countries in the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
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On December 30, 2018, the CPTPP entered into force in the first six countries to ratify the agreement: Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore. On January 14, 2019, the CPTPP entered into force in Vietnam.
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With the CPTPP, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, and the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, Canadian businesses now have access to 1.5 billion new customers in more than 50 countries.
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As part of its trade diversification strategy, the Government of Canada will invest $100 million over six years to reinforce the CanExport program and related Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) funding programs, helping more Canadian businesses reach overseas markets.
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The TCS helps thousands of Canadian businesses succeed in international markets by providing key business insights and access to an unbeatable network of international contacts.
