Supporting the export success of small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs)

In this article:

• Advantages of exporting for SMEs
• The Trade Commissioner Service: Your expert partner to help you do business with the world
• Funding support for your export market development
• Relevant programs and resources for your global expansion
• Canada's trade team is ready to help you succeed on the global stage

Advantages of exporting for SMEs

Small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in Canada's economy, with more than 95,000 of them exporting goods or services from Canada.

Why is exporting important for so many SMEs? Consider the significant benefits:

1. Innovation boost: Exporting businesses innovate almost twice as much as their non‑exporting counterparts, driving technological advancements and improving products and services.
2. Sales and growth: Exporting businesses earn more, grow faster, and show greater resilience during market challenges, which helps to ensure financial stability.
3. Access to new markets: Canada's population represents just 0.5% of the global population, meaning that almost all of our potential customers are in other countries, including many that are covered by Canada’s free trade agreements.
4. Global competition: Exporting diversifies markets, which helps to mitigate risks posed by a single‑market focus, and to ensure long‑term sustainability.
5. "Made‑in‑Canada" brand: Our products and services have a reputation for quality and reliability around the globe. The "Made‑in‑Canada" label carries international appeal, fostering trust and recognition among global consumers.

Here is a list of key partners, resources, and programs that support the export success of small and medium‑sized businesses looking to expand abroad. These initiatives can help you navigate global markets and unlock new growth opportunities.

The Trade Commissioner Service: Your expert partner to help you do business with the world

Many small businesses find success by selling their products in other countries. This export journey is full of growth opportunities, and the Trade Commissioner service is here to help you make the most of them. Each year, we help more than 10,000 clients do business and succeed in markets abroad.

While the path to success presents its challenges, it also offers immense potential. These challenges can include limited resources, regulatory hurdles, market unfamiliarity, and access to financing. That's where we come in. We offer export advisory services, funding, accelerator programs and tailored support at trade events to help eligible businesses of all sizes, including SMEs:

• navigate the ins and out of doing business outside Canada;
• discover and take advantage of opportunities in international markets; and
• succeed in their global expansion efforts.

Funding support for your export market development

We help Canadian businesses grow in other countries through our CanExport SMEs program, which provides up to $50,000, covering 50% of costs for Canadian SMEs exploring new markets and expanding their business globally.

For more details on eligibility and application guidelines, consult the applicant's guide on our website.

We also offer the CanExport Innovation program, which provides up to $75,000 in funding to help Canadian SMEs, academic institutions, and non‑government research centres pursue research and development collaborations with pre‑identified partners in foreign markets. Consult the applicant's guide for more information.

Relevant programs and resources for your global expansion

1. Canadian Technology Accelerators (CTAs): Our CTAs allow businesses, including SMEs, to explore growth opportunities in 12 global tech hubs. It provides support, mentorship, and contacts for international growth, with a focus on cleantech, information and communications technologies, and life sciences. The best part? Participation comes at no cost except for travel and accommodation expenses.
2. Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP): Our CIIP encourages research and development collaborations with foreign partners, fostering innovation on a global scale.
3. Events and trade missions: We help connect businesses with potential international buyers or partners at industry events in Canada and across the globe. We also organize trade missions and business delegations for key trade events or specific business groups.
4. Support for exporters from inclusive trade groups: We offer tailored support to businesses owned by members of inclusive trade groups such as women, Indigenous Peoples, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and youth.

Canada's trade team is ready to help you succeed on the global stage

The Trade Commissioner Service is part of Canada's Trade Team supporting exporters. We work closely with other organizations to ensure businesses find the right assistance at every stage of their export journey, from initial market exploration to advanced expansion.

• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) provides services like the Accelerated Growth Service to help high-growth businesses access financing, innovation support, and export advice.
• The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) offers financing and advisory services to support SMEs, including loans up to $100,000 and tailored programs for international growth. BDC's resources cover essential topics like business strategy and operational efficiency.
• Export Development Canada (EDC) helps businesses navigate international risks, providing financial solutions such as export credit, insurance, and support to access capital. EDC's expertise allows businesses to expand confidently into new markets.
• The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) also plays a role, helping Canadian businesses sell to foreign governments, and offering unique programs for accessing international procurement opportunities, including the U.S. Department of Defense.

By collaborating with these partners, we help ensure Canadian businesses including SMEs get seamless access to the support they need for a successful international expansion.

Whether you are considering your first new market abroad or looking to expand further, the Trade Commissioner Service and its partners are here to support your journey. Our tools, programs, and services are designed to help your business thrive in international markets.

Get started with us today.