#HOTCS: Nathalie Nercessian, Beirut

“What I personally find rewarding as a trade commissioner is that we give without asking for something in return, and we make a huge difference for Canadian companies expanding internationally. We lower the risk of doing business and we help exporters win contracts. And we’re not just removing trade barriers, but also cultural ones.

“Lebanon, being a hub to access emerging markets, can be an entry point for Canadian companies into the Middle East and Africa. From the TCS office in Beirut, I help Canadian companies in the ICT sector to expand into other countries in this region by connecting them to opportunities and by introducing them to my colleagues. Even though we are in the same region, each market is different – there are different ways of doing business, different guidelines and regulations, etc. So one essential service we offer Canadian businesses is the expertise acquired by each trade commissioner on the ground. We can provide key insights on these distinctions, making exporting easier for Canadian companies.”