Minister Mary Ng reveals new measures to help Canadian small businesses access global markets amid the pandemic

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion, and International Trade revealed new actions to help Canadian businesses grow while navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the global marketplace.

Helping Canada’s small businesses go global is the key to driving economic recovery.

The Government of Canada launched the CanExport SMEs program—delivered through the Trade Commissioner Service—in 2016. This investment program totaling $190 million, has helped thousands of small business owners and entrepreneurs break into new international markets with funding of up to $75,000 to cover travel costs and other expenses.

The CanExport SMEs program is pivoting to now help small businesses due to COVID-19 international travel restrictions, develop and expand their e-commerce presence by covering partial costs associated with online sales platforms and digital strategy consulting, as well as advertising and search engine optimization, attend virtual trade shows and other business-to-business events. CanExport is also assisting small businesses to navigate new COVID-19-related trade barriers by helping pay for new international market certifications and requirements.

“Our innovative and resilient small businesses across Canada continue to find new ways to translate today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities. The new measures will help small business owners and entrepreneurs continue toadapt to the economy of the future and succeed in the global marketplace amid COVID-19,”

– Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade

She said: “Canada is working to build a sustainable and resilient recovery that benefits everyone. That is why these new measures will also provide dedicated support for Indigenous and women-owned small businesses, which have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.”

This new support is expected to help hundreds of small businesses in the coming months explore new opportunities to sell their world-class Canadian products and services in the international marketplace, grow their businesses, and create good jobs for Canadians.

“Our innovative and resilient small businesses across Canada continue to find new ways to translate today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities. The new measures will help small business owners and entrepreneurs continue to adapt to the economy of the future and succeed in the global marketplace amid COVID-19,” Ng said.  

CanExport SMEs program funding is for Small business owners and entrepreneurs who apply.

Today kicks off Honourable Mary Ng’s launch of Canada’s first-ever virtual trade mission to South Korea for women entrepreneurs with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

The 2-day virtual trade mission will be an opportunity for Canadian women entrepreneurs to showcase their made-in-Canada solutions and innovations and make new partnerships with South Korean women leaders from business, technology, and government sectors.