Whether you’re already exporting to Europe or considering if it should be part of your growth plans, you won’t want to miss this insightful complimentary webinar on new opportunities for Canadian women entrepreneurs that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) presents. Did you know that this free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union:

• eliminates 98% of duties on Canadian goods?
• improves access for trade in services and simplifies entry procedures?
• provides opportunities in niche sectors where women excel?
• opens up public procurement at all levels of government to Canadian businesses?
• is enhanced with a commitment from both the Canadian and EU governments to help women expand internationally and take advantage of CETA?

Join the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT-Toronto) for this virtual session featuring Canada’s Senior Trade Commissioner on the ground in Brussels, Stéphane Lambert, who will pinpoint the hottest sectors and opportunities that match the strengths of Canadian women exporters and outline valuable resources to help you succeed.

And you’ll learn from the experiences of two accomplished Canadian women exporters to Europe – Shamira Jaffer and Manon Pilon - who will also have plenty of practical tips to convey.

The session will be moderated by OWIT’s VP International Susan Baka who visited the EU early this year and will share her contacts with Canadian women exporters.

Panelists:

Stéphane Lambert, Senior Trade Commissioner, Mission of Canada to the European Union

A 17-year Canadian public service veteran, in his current role in Brussels, Stéphane oversees Canada’s trade framework with the European Union and manages Canada’s economic and science and technology ties with EU institutions. In his previous role as Director General of Trade Strategy and Portfolio Coordination at Global Affairs Canada (GAC), he developed approaches to meet Canada’s goals for trade, including measures to help small and medium-sized enterprises succeed in international markets, trade promotion strategies, and partnerships with other institutions and the private sector. Prior to joining GAC, Stéphane worked at the Privy Council Office where he was responsible for industry, trade and regional development issues.

Shamira Jaffer, CEO, Signifi Solutions Inc.

Shamira inherited her strong entrepreneurial spirit and interest in international business through her family. These influences are at the core of her drive as a successful innovator as seen in the strength of the profitable organizations she has built through the years. As head of Signifi, she has built a team that is pushing the boundaries of automated retail...taking retail technology to the future with her visionary view of the use of robotics and automation. Signifi exports to almost every country in Europe, and its robotic kiosks can be found in the Paris train station and at Heathrow Airport. Shamira was OWIT’s 2017 Woman Exporter of the Year.

Manon Pilon, Founder & Co-President, Derme & Co.

Founder & Co-President, Derme & Co., Manon has over 35 years experience in research and development in the skin care products, Personal care products and medical spa industry. Her company is the largest manufacturer and laboratories of organic certified skin care products in North America. Manon speaks at skin care conferences worldwide, has authored books and also hosted a weekly radio show in Montreal. A multiple award winner, she is a two-time recipient of the Réseau des femmes d’affaires du Québec “Business Woman of the Year” and was also nominated for the Who’s Who list in New York. Manon participated in the first-ever francophone women’s trade mission to the EU early this year.

Thanks to Our Sponsor

This is the second webinar in our series about free trade agreements, this one in partnership with the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub - a one-stop source of knowledge, data and best practices for women entrepreneurs. WEKH is a part of the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy that aims to increase women entrepreneurs’ access to financing, talent, networks and expertise.