Happy Spring!

It is so nice to see some colour outside and we certainly continue to see a colourful world in the trade space! There’s a lot happening right now and it’s accelerating as Canada actively tries to diversify trade relationships beyond the U.S.

Some key things happening in Canada:

1. Women-focused trade missions are expanding as organizations and government agencies are investing heavily in women-led export programs.

2. Supplier diversity is becoming mainstream. Large corporations and governments are under pressure to diversify supply chains and procurement partners. That means women-owned businesses are seeing more opportunities in corporate procurement, government contracts, global supply chains and ESG-related sourcing initiatives.

3. Digital trade and e-commerce continue to open doors for SMEs – this will resonate with many women-owned businesses which are service based, online first, consulting/creative/IP focused.

4. Funding and export-readiness programs are increasing. There are significantly more export-focused grants, incubators and accelerators than there were even a few years ago.

At OWIT-Toronto, we have hosted timely events – from interprovincial trade to global trade diversification - that tie into these trends and we have also participated in partner events that are equally timely. You can read all about them in this issue to stay plugged into developments in the trade space. And, as part of our commitment to encourage interprovincial trade, we recently met with a group of Atlantic Canada women entrepreneurs visiting Toronto on a trade delegation.

We hope you will join us for our Summer Trade Social the eve of June 17 on the beautiful Scotiabank Terrace where Scotiabank will address the north-south trade corridor and the bank’s commitment to help women exporters be part of  the momentum fuelling trade between Canada and Latin America.

Members are encouraged to bring a guest interested in joining our vibrant network – both are invited to attend complimentary. See more information about this event below!

Cathy Williamson & Susan Baka, Co-Presidents