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CanExport Program provides funding to SMEs seeking to develop export opportunities

As part of the Government of Canada’s trade strategy to increase Canadian companies’ competitiveness and help them take advantage of opportunities abroad, CanExport Program was announced January 5, 2016 by Canada’s International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland. CanExport will provide up to $50 million over five years in direct financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada seeking to develop new export opportunities, particularly in high-growth priority markets and sectors.  Delivered by the Trade Commissioner Service of Global Affairs Canada, in partnership with the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program, CanExport provides financial support for a wide range of export marketing activities.

To be eligible, a company’s annual declared revenue must be between $200K and $50M.  Eligible activities must aim to promote international business development beyond the applicant’s core activities, represent new or expanded initiatives and provide an opportunity to yield incremental results. The applicant will need to provide a specific rationale as to why they want to enter a new market where they have not exported within the last 24 months.  For illustrative purposes, these activities could include:

Business travel;
Participation at trade fairs;
Market research;
Adaptation of marketing tools for a new market; and
Legal fees associated with a distribution/representation agreement.”

For more information, please consult the CanExport website.