TFO Canada And TEPA Hosted Exporting To Canada Seminar

On November 18, 2014, TEPA in association with The Trade Facilitation Office Canada (TFO Canada), hosted “Exporting to Canada” Seminar. The seminar which targeted St. Lucian exporters focussed on the fundamentals of accessing and expanding exports to the Canadian market.

This market is one of significant priority to TEPA. The ongoing CARICOM/Canada trade negotiations have further increased the opportunities for trade between Canada and CARICOM member states of which Saint Lucia is part. An overview of the same was presented by Trade officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation. Mr. Rhon Stephen of Hewanorra Air Cargo Services presented on logistics out of Saint Lucia into this market. He shared on the rate situation, what he thought were favourable and non-favourable conditions and also expectations on air cargo availability from Saint Lucia in the near future.

Over 60 exporters and potential exporters from key goods and services sectors participated in this seminar. Attendees were introduced to the TFO Canada website (www.tfocanada.ca/) which provided information on exporting to Canada. Resources included inter alia exporter’s handbooks and sector-specific Canadian. Reference was also made to demographics, Canadian households buying power, culture and customs.

Ainsley Butler, Program Manager with TFO indicated her agencies commitment to working with TEPA and ultimately exporters to champion the Country’s market entry endeavours. She emphasised her agencies work plan of action as it relates to the same.

TEPA Chief Executive Officer, Jacqueline Emmanuel-Flood remarked that “This initiative was an eye-opener for many of the attendees. The presentation fell in line with TEPA’s efforts as we have identified Canada as a priority market in our export strategy. TEPA is delighted to partner with TFO Canada. We anticipate a mutually beneficial relationship as we strengthen our efforts towards achieving our overall mandate of increasing aggregate volume of exports out of Saint Lucia”.

To this end TEPA remains committed to providing market research and technical support to attendees and all Saint Lucian exporters looking to take advantage of the vast opportunities in this market. Exporters are encouraged to visit our offices or call Glenfield Gilbert at 758-468-2051, email ggilbert@tepa.org.lc or Gasper George at 758-468-2144, email ggeorge@tepa.org.lc for assistance and support.

TFO Canada is the primary Canadian provider of information, advice and buyer contacts for exporters in developing and transition economies. TFO Canada is a non-governmental, non-profit organization with headquarters in Ottawa. TFO Canada provides Canada Market Access and Trade Capacity Building Services to over 150 countries recognized by the OECD as eligible for development assistance. Their projects are implemented in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Eastern Europe.