Trade Facilitation Office Canada Bureau De Promotion Du Commerce Canada

Published purpose

This project supports inclusive and sustainable economic growth by strengthening the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those led by women and under-represented groups, to access Canadian and international markets. It aims to strengthen trade support institutions (TSIs) in 16 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to deliver inclusive, gender-responsive, and sustainable services to SMEs. The project also seeks to improve the ability of TSIs to integrate gender equality and social inclusion into their operations and to enhance the export readiness of SMEs. Project activities include: (1) training TSIs to deliver export-readiness and climate-resilient services to SMEs; (2) developing gender action plans and tools to support inclusive service delivery; and (3) coaching SMEs to improve their export offerings and connect with international buyers. This project supports initiatives that benefit 3,200 SMEs, (2,133 led or owned by women and under-represented groups) and 16 TSIs.