Dates: Sunday, February 16 to Friday, February 21, 2025

Market: Core programming in Sydney from February 16 to 19 and additional priority sector programming in Brisbane and Melbourne on February 20 and 21 for those selected for the business to business (B2B) program and that operate in the priority sectors.

Priority Sectors: While the trade mission is open to companies and organizations from all sectors, the trade mission program will highlight areas of Canadian competitive advantage, with a particular focus on the following priority sectors:

• agri-food and agri-tech
• clean technologies and clean energy
• mining equipment technology and services
• ICT (with a focus on digital infrastructure and smart cities)

WHY PARTICIPATE?
Members of the Canadian business delegation will participate in:

networking opportunities with Minister Ng and Australian business leaders
on-site business briefings by our Trade Commissioners, senior officials, and key local industry players
market overviews and/or roundtables with local industry and experts
pre-arranged business to business meetings (only applicable to companies selected for the B2B program stream)

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?
Team Canada Trade Missions welcome:

• export-ready Canadian companies of all sizes, including exporters from diverse backgrounds, with strong potential to address opportunities in Australia and generate tangible business outcomes
• provinces and territories, municipalities and other Canadian organizations, such as regional development agencies, trade associations and chambers of commerce, looking to expand their reach and engagement in Australia

Each application will go through an extensive assessment process to determine the most suitable stream for the organization.

TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS AND EXPENSES
Participants are responsible for organizing their own travel arrangements, including all air and ground transportation to and from the airport, and to make their own accommodation reservations. Programming and travel information (such as local transportation options and hotel block bookings) will be provided to confirmed participants as information becomes available.

There is no fee to participate in the trade mission. However, participants are responsible for covering all related travel costs, including airfare, accommodations, ground transportation and meals not included in the program.

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
To be considered for the business delegation of the Team Canada Trade Mission to Australia, submit your application as soon as possible, and no later than November 15, 2024, 17:00 E.T. We anticipate a high demand for participation in this mission. To maximize the number of participating organizations, a maximum of two representatives per organization can register for the trade mission.

Learn more or apply >>>

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WeBC is proud to be a Community Partner of this program!

TAP is designed to help SMEs TAP into their full export potential. It has a proven track record helping participants get results.

With new trade agreements, a competitive Canadian dollar, and new business opportunities, now is the ideal time to extend your company’s reach through international expansion of goods and services.

Since 2017, World Trade Centre Vancouver has successfully delivered 27 TAP cohorts in B.C.

Just six months after graduating the program:

• On average, export revenue increased by 23%
• Participants forecast their export sales to grow 47% over the next 5 years

By enrolling in TAP you can:

• Navigate complexities of the global trade ecosystem
• Leverage Canada’s deep trade and investment resources
• Access tailored, face-to-face coaching and advice
• Learn about international best practices
• Accelerate export readiness
• Develop and implement a new market entry plan
• Expand your global trade footprint and increase revenue

Four Groups of Creative Industries:

• Heritage: Traditional Cultural Expressions, ex. art gallery for Indigenous arts or artisanal jewelry
• Arts: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, ex. Cirque du Soleil
• Media: Motion Picture, Video and Sound Recording, Broadcasting, Print and Publishing, ex. film and television production companies
• Functional Creations: Design, New Media (Software, Video Games, AR, and VR) and Creative Services (R&D, Architecture, Advertising, Fashion Design)

*Bursary available for qualified companies.

The post Creative Industries Cohort of the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) appeared first on WeBC.

TAP is a 5-day program designed to help SMEs TAP into their full export potential. It has a proven track record helping participants get results.

With new trade agreements, a competitive Canadian dollar, and new business opportunities, now is the ideal time to extend your company’s reach through international expansion of goods and services.

Since 2017, World Trade Centre Vancouver has successfully delivered 27 TAP cohorts in B.C.

Just six months after graduating the program:

• On average, export revenue increased by 23%
• Participants forecast their export sales to grow 47% over the next 5 years

By enrolling in TAP you can:

• Navigate complexities of the global trade ecosystem
• Leverage Canada’s deep trade and investment resources
• Access tailored, face-to-face coaching and advice
• Learn about international best practices
• Accelerate export readiness
• Develop and implement a new market entry plan
• Expand your global trade footprint and increase revenue

The post Trade Accelerator Program: Women-Led Cohort appeared first on WeBC.

What is the purpose of FTAs?

The chief goal of FTAs is to make life easier for you, the exporter or importer, by removing barriers to international trade. While the primary focus is on eliminating tariffs, it also impacts non-tariff barriers, for example, quotas, intellectual property, competition policy, etc.

Why should you care about it?

It not only creates more opportunities for your products and services but also creates a level playing field with your competitors. For example, if you plan to get a foothold in the Asia–Pacific market, you can benefit from the Canada – South Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA), which came into effect on January 1, 2015. If you are a seafood exporter, CKFTA has eliminated tariffs on lobster (frozen) and Pacific and Atlantic salmon (fresh/chilled/smoked) from a rate of 20 percent. Earlier, Canadian fish and seafood exporters faced tariff highs up to 47 percent. Several BC exports including forestry, natural resources, fishing, agriculture and manufacturing benefit from the CKFTA.

Canada has 15 free trade agreements that cover 49 countries and negotiations are going on for many others. Below are two examples of how FTA’s have changed the exporting landscape.

On November 30, 2018, Canada, the United States and Mexico signed the new Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), on the margins of the G20 leaders’ summit in Buenos Aires. This superseded The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which came into effect on January 1, 1994, and created the world’s biggest free trade block. The agreement’s objectives include:

• elimination of barriers to trade in goods and services,
• promotion of fair competition,
• creation of suitable opportunities for investment, and
• establishment of systems and procedures to settle trade disputes.
• Elimination of barriers to trade in goods and services,
• promotion of fair competition,
• creation of suitable opportunities for investment, and
• establishment of systems and procedures to settle trade disputes.

CETA: The Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), entered into force on April 1, 2021—preserving preferential market access for both Canadian and UK businesses. The agreement provides positive opportunities to Canadian entrepreneurs including:

• access to new markets,
• reducing the cost of doing business with EU because of streamlined procedures,
• opportunity to bid on EU Government contracts,
• finding it easier to invest in EU, and
• avoiding unnecessary regulatory requirements.

How to use FTAs

If you have decided to export to a specific region, check if Canada has an FTA with that country. Here are a few questions that you should explore:

• Does the tariff removal impact your specific product or service?
• Has the FTA addressed non-tariff barriers such as quotas, etc.?
• Does it allow access to their Government’s procurement program?
• Is the movement of business professionals easier?
• Does it simplify origin procedures?
• What rules have been designed to protect intellectual property, copyrights, etc.?
• What processes have been set up for dispute resolution?

FTAs are very comprehensive and can be complex to understand. It is important to use professional advice to navigate through these rules. There are several resources to help, once you decide to expand and grow your business into the international market.

Export Development Canada
Canadian Trade Commissioner Service
Global Affairs Canada
Canada Border Services Agency
Export Controls

FTAs should not be the only reason for you to decide on a market. You have to research your market to decide if there is a demand for what you are selling and then decide on your market entry strategy. Having an Export Plan is critical; it’s like a roadmap for your international business.

Some of the important questions you should answer include:

• Who is your target market? For example, if you plan to export to the EU, which country is your target market?
• What is your market entry strategy? Are you going to work with an agent or a distributor?
• What primary product or service are you planning to sell in the international market? Has it been adapted as per the local market dynamics?
• What is your time line for venturing into international markets?
• Who are the key people in your organization who will lead the export venture? Who is your contact/partner in the local market?

If you are interested in learning more about Free Trade Agreements, are currently exporting or even in the initial stages, then check out the on-demand recording of our WeCafé: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating Canada’s Free Trade Agreements on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/c/WECBritishColumbia.

The post Free Trade Agreements: What’s in it for you? appeared first on WeBC.

Canada, the United States and Mexico form a tight-knit trade community. The roots of this relationship are in geographical proximity, people-to-people connections, and a strong desire for the economic prosperity of the region. Since 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) helped create export opportunities and a more level playing field for its member countries by gradually eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers. It has now seamlessly transitioned to (CUSMA).

What is CUSMA?

You may hear the names CUSMA, USMCA and MUSCA for this agreement. All three names refer to the same agreement. While in Canada it is known as CUSMA; in the US it is called United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and in Mexico, it is referred to as MUSCA. CUSMA is a modernization of NAFTA and provides improved procedures to make it easier for goods to move across Canada, USA and Mexico borders.

So, what has changed?

While a lot remains unchanged from the original NAFTA or has been updated to better project how international trade currently works, there are some significant changes too. Below are a few highlights:

Certification of Origin

Unlike the NAFTA certificate of origin, CUSMA does not require a prescribed format. Certain data elements regarding certification of origin can be included in commercial invoices or any other documentation. The minimum data elements should include information about the exporter/importer/producer, description and tariff classification of goods, origin criteria, and blanket period(for multiple shipments of identical goods for a specified period of up to 12 months). This certification may be completed by the exporter, producer or importer of the goods. It may be submitted electronically. You can find more information on the certificate of origin and an example of the certification here.

Auto Sector

The revised rules focus on maintaining a large North American content in the auto sector. The total North American content in vehicles has gone from 62.5% (Under NAFTA) to 75%. 70% of all steel and aluminum used in auto production needs to originate in North America. 40% of a passenger car (45% in the case of a light truck) must be produced by workers paid an average labour wage of USD $16/hour.

De minimis threshold

De Minimis duties and taxes have changed for shipments under CUSMA. Canada has agreed to $150 for customs duties and $40 for taxes. This rule only applies to goods shipped from USor Mexico to Canada by courier.

Dispute Settlement

The dispute settlement chapter details the mechanism for resolving disputes between the member countries. Disagreements are to be resolved via cooperative means such as consultations. However, if these do not work out, the agreement provides for arbitral panels.

Agriculture

The agri-food sector is a key element in the Canadian economic story and it has seen incredible growth in the past two decades in North America. Canada has protected the supply management system for dairy farmers. New USA market access has been provided to Canada for refined sugar and sugar-containing products, as well as certain dairy products. The USA has been provided new access to the Canadian market for dairy, poultry, and egg products. If you export agricultural or agri-food products and are interested in finding out more, you can find details here.

Digital trade

The digital landscape has changed during the past few years with the increase in e-commerce activities. CUSMA reflects the present digital trade realities. Customs duties, fees, or other charges on or in connection with the importation or exportation of digital products transmitted electronically will not be allowed. It also protects against forced disclosure of proprietary source code and algorithms.

CUSMA includes a formal review of the agreement every six years. While the agreement will terminate after 16 years, the Parties to CUSMA can agree to extend it for a further 16 years after each regular review.

The North American trade bloc offers immense opportunities to women exporters. USA and Canada have a unique trade relationship because of several factors including a common language and shared connections. These shared commonalities have encouraged and supported close trade connections. About 75 percent of Canadian exports are to the USA. Several USA states such as Michigan, Illinois, California, and New York have close economic ties with Canada. For example, Michigan annually imports about $45.2 billion in goods from Canada. Mexico is also a priority market for Canadian exports. In 2018, Canada exported goods about $8.2 billion to this market. CUSMA is a step in the right direction and provides momentum to Canadian exporters by facilitating the trade process.

You can learn more about the agreement here.

Questions about exporting? We can help. Email us at inquiry@we-bc.ca

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