Importinfo Newsletter November 2020

TFO Canada’s 40th Anniversary

On November 26, 2020 TFO Canada celebrated its 40 year anniversary. TFO Canada has been improving lives through the creation of sustainable trade partnerships for exporters from developing countries with Canadian and foreign buyers. Founded in 1980 by an act of parliament, TFO Canada has been the primary Canadian provider of information, advice and buyer contacts for exporters in developing and transition economies.

The event was attended by Honourable Mary Ng, Canadian Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation’s CEO, Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Centre, Representatives from Global Affairs Canada, and many of our partners in trade and development.

Trade Facilitation Office Canada/Bureau de promotion du commerce Canada (TFOC/BPCC) was established in 1980 as Canada’s response to a commitment made to the UN in the late 1970’s to demonstrate our support for growing trade capacity in the developing world.  The vehicle for delivery was the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development-General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (UNCTAD-GATT) and TFO Canada based its country list strictly on those identified under the GATT as Least Developing Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).

Access the full press release here.

Canada-Ukraine Trade and Investment Support

TFO Canada is currently active in Ukraine through the Canada-Ukraine Trade and Investment Support (CUTIS) project. CUTIS, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and managed by Conference Board of Canada (CBoC), aims to reduce poverty and increase sustainable economic growth in Ukraine through the expansion of Ukrainian exports to Canada and the encouragement of Canadian investment in Ukraine. The project focuses on supporting Ukrainian SMEs, and particularly women-led SMEs.

Under CUTIS, TFO Canada has been providing training, coaching and technical assistance services for accessing the Canadian market to Ukrainian SMEs from apparel, footwear, furniture, IT services and food/confectionery sectors since 2017.

As of October 2020, CUTIS has created a brochure to make business easy through virtual platforms. Access the “Doing Business Virtually in Ukraine: A checklist for Canadian Buyers” here.

COVID Regional Updates

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has caused a global health pandemic and a global economic slowdown. This has impacted international trade and development, and will no doubt have consequences for many of our partner countries. Each month we will share current COVID-19 updates from the countries we work with that might be your partners or clients in hopes to provide some insights on the markets you are importing from.

This month our bulletin will cover some of the countries we work in within the Africa and Haiti Region. Please find the updates below:[vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_column_text]

Uganda

Boarder Closure:
Traveler’s are required to present a medical certificate confirming a negative PCR test for COVID-19 dated within 72 hours before departure.

Curfew:
A nationwide curfew from 2100h to 0600h.

Required Isolation:
Not required upon presenting a negative COVID test.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_column_text]

Zambia

Boarder Closure:
Borders are open. Tourist visas are only available in advance, not on arrival.
Foreign travelers must show proof of a negative test result for COVID-19 taken within 14 days prior to arriving
Upon entry may be tested via nasal swab if symptoms are displayed.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_column_text]

Haiti

Boarder Closure:
Passengers must self declare COVID-19 status and complete a health questionnaire. No COVID-19 test is required.

Curfew:
12 midnight to 4 A.M

Required Isolation:
No[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner]