About the Trade Commissioner Service

Trade Commissioners at one of our Regional Offices in Canada will work with you to:

• determine international competitiveness
• decide on target markets and improve your international business strategy
• collect foreign market and industry information

Keeping an ongoing relationship with your local Trade Commissioner has many advantages to your company:

• develop a first-hand understanding of your business to connect you with relevant opportunities in your target market
• stay updated on initiatives and information that could help your business (missions, seminars, meetings, trade shows)
• connect you with useful funding, services and programs

To help you prepare for international markets or for more information, contact the TCS Regional Office in Canada nearest you.

Our Trade Commissioners in Canada and abroad can help you find out:

• the level of opportunity for your business in a particular market
• the right approaches to that market
• the amount of effort and resources required

Our market intelligence provides up-to-date information on foreign markets to:

• inform you about barriers and regulations associated with entering a specific region
• give you with an overview of the competitive landscape
• share knowledge about upcoming opportunities or emerging trends
• use existing free trade agreements to their potential

Our strategic advice can help support your international business strategy:

• navigating business and cultural practices
• local representation
• market entry strategies
• participation in global value chains
• emerging trends
• regulations and policy issues

We can also identify upcoming events such as:

• trade fairs
• conferences
• seminars
• trade missions
• benefits for your business goals

With our on-the-ground presence worldwide, we can make finding the right contacts easier by putting you in contact with key players who can:

• support your market strategy
• help you resolve problems

Connecting you to Canadian contacts

Through our offices in Canada, we can connect you to industry associations, federal, provincial or municipal contacts, chambers of commerce or other key contacts.

Our network of business contacts includes:

• potential buyers and partners
• professionals in financial and legal institutions
• technology sources
• agents and manufacturers' representatives
• foreign regulatory authorities and investment promotion agencies

Connecting you to foreign contacts abroad

Our Trade Commissioners can help you find key players that have the local knowledge you need to refine and carry out your international marketing strategy. These foreign decision-makers, partner organizations and intermediaries could include:

• government officials and policy networks
• businesses and potential investors
• key participants for business events in Canada
• counterpart associations and strategic partners
• research and educational institutions
• financial institutions and venture capital firms
• science and technology stakeholders
• professional and business associations
• lawyers, accountants, consultants
• communications professionals and media

Commercial issues can arise, whether it be a common problem that many businesses have faced abroad, or an issue exclusive to your organization that requires a unique solution. We're here to help.

We can help you understand and resolve business, investment or other market-access problems such as:

• customs clearance and shipping
• confusing business practices or unfair business treatment
• contract bidding
• storage and warehousing
• insurance coverage and claims
• overdue accounts receivable

We can help you explore solutions to important strategic or urgent market access issues.

While we can't become involved in private commercial disputes or act on your behalf in legal situations, we can refer you to local service providers who can help you.

Find out if you qualify

Address urgent situations with help from our trade experts using Exporter Solutions.