The federal government has launched a virtual trade mission to South Korea to help women entrepreneurs in Canada explore opportunities to grow their businesses internationally.
The mission will be completed in partnership with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, a non-profit think-tank on Canada’s relations with Asia, and is aimed to support women’s economic empowerment and participation in trade.
The mission will focus on women entrepreneurs working in STEM, including healthtech, biotech, agritech, and EdTech.
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada will select and coach 20 women entrepreneurs for this trade mission through a series of virtual sessions occurring across a two-week period in the fall.
“Supporting women entrepreneurs to expand into Asian markets will help our collective efforts to reboot Canada’s economy, because the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement gives our businesses an edge over our competitors,” said Christine Nakamura, vice president at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s Toronto office. “South Korea is an excellent entry point into Asia’s growth markets.”
The mission itself will be conducted through virtual sessions, panel discussions, and business training on November 3 and 4, and will focus on women entrepreneurs working in STEM sectors, including healthtech, biotech, agritech, and EdTech.
RELATED: 12 Canadian FinTech startups chosen to embark on UK trade mission
The trade mission is part of the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES), which is the federal government’s $5 billion plan to help women grow their businesses through access to financing, mentorship, expertise, and networks of support. In May, the federal government committed $15 million in new capital through the WES to support women entrepreneurs amid COVID-19.
“This virtual trade mission will pave the way for Canadian women entrepreneurs to expand their businesses in South Korea and the dynamic, growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region and bring more Canadian innovative solutions to the world,” said Canada’s Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Mary Ng.
Applications for interested delegates are open until September 21. Successful applicants will be required to attend the virtual training sessions before the mission begins.
Image source Mary Ng via Twitter.