FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, ON (September 17, 2020) – Today TFO Canada affirms its commitment to contribute to inclusive growth and women’s economic empowerment by increasing the number of women from developing countries involved in international trade and by increasing the share of exports generated by women-owned and led Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Thanks to funding from Global Affairs Canada, the Women in Trade for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth (WIT) initiative will work with public and private sector Trade Support Institutions (TSIs) in 24 countries to promote export opportunities for women owned and led SMEs in the Canadian and other International markets. The project will benefit more than 13,000 women-led and men-led SMEs and over 24 TSIs, with the aim of generating $15 million in new export sales while improving the representation of women within supporting institutions.
In addition to Global Affairs Canada, the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) group and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) have provided funding support for WIT and TFO Canada will be working with many other partners and donors for complementary support to enhance the reach and development impact of WIT.
This project aligns well with TFO Canada’s mandate of promoting sustainable economic development through export information, advice and contact, and trade partnership to improve capacity to access foreign markets. “Investing in people, particularly women-led SMEs, reinforces TFO Canada’s commitment to improving lives thereby contributing to economic development in disadvantaged regions of the world. The WIT project is a shining example of the partnership TFO Canada has enjoyed with Global Affairs Canada that has existed for 40 years.” says Steve Tipman, Executive Director, TFO Canada.
“Canada’s support for the Women in Trade program is especially important now, as COVID-19 makes it harder for small businesses around the world," says Karina Gould, Minister of International Development. “When women are able to lead their own businesses and take their products and ideas to international markets, economies grow stronger, and the benefits reach more families and communities.”
More about TFO Canada: Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to improve lives through the creation of sustainable trade partnerships for exporters from developing countries with Canadian and foreign buyers. Since 1980, TFO Canada has been providing trade promotion and capacity building services to tens of thousands of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and hundreds of Trade Support Institutions (TSIs)/Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs)/Business Support Organizations (BSOs) from many countries in Asia, Europe, Middle-East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Media Contact
Marysabel Gonzalez
TFO Canada
1 613 233-3925 ext 31
Marysabel.gonzalez@tfocanada.ca