International Development Grant
Canadian Market Access and Capacity Building Services
Project Number: CA-3-D000170001
Status: Closed
Country/Region: Unknown
Regional Focus:
Maximum Contribution: $10,154,142.00
Start Date: January 07, 2014
End Date: April 10, 2019
Duration: 5.3 years
Project Description
This project aims to develop the ability of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and related trade-support institutions in developing countries to pursue export opportunities in Canada. Components of the project specifically targets developing countries with which Canada has negotiated or is negotiating free trade agreements in order to help them to benefit from these new agreements. Through SME-led job creation this project also contributes to reducing poverty in developing countries. Project activities include: (1) providing Canadian market trade information and online Services by producing information papers website content with import/export product offers market entry studies e-bulletin; (2) providing Canadian market access services and Trade Support Institution capacity building in 25 priority countries through sector specific training on market access to Canada; and (3) providing Canadian market access services for up to 8 of the Least Developed Countries in the garment sector and to trade agreement developing country partners to Canada.
Expected Results
The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (i) improved ability of women- and men-led small and medium enterprises (SME) in 40 developing countries to access the Canadian marketplace generating more than $10 million in new export sales and much more after the project comes to an end because of the recurring and self-sustaining nature of trade; and (ii) improved ability of trade-support institutions in over 30 countries to help SMEs exporters access the Canadian marketplace.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of December 2018: The Trade Information Services component continued to deliver improved online and contact services to TFO Canada’s clients and is on track to accomplish or surpass most of its objectives; the project's anticipated small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) engagement has surpassed the original target of 600 SMEs and 100 Trade Support Institutions (TSI) with the registration of 1 035 and 328 respectively and; the addition of 221 new Canadian importers also surpassed the project's target with 728 importers registered 228 more than anticipated. The TFO Canada’s Priority Countries Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Trading Partners Responsive Facility (TPRF) components have made progress towards achieving their target: 80 Priority Country SMEs receiving orders and requests for quotation; under the LDC’s 8 women-led companies generated US $282 049 worth of sales and nearly 250 new jobs mostly for women were created as a result of these export sales; 4 MBA Market Entry Studies were also prepared for a range of SME exporters from developing countries in different sectors; combined 16 TPRF projects have leveraged US $1.6 million from stakeholders including TSIs and SMEs; 56 companies have reported export sales of US $3 756 933 and; 37 participating women-led companies (66%) generated US $1 941 467 worth of sales. These results are contributing to the ultimate outcome of reducing poverty in developing countries through employment created by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) including women entrepreneurs with the support of selected Trade Support Institutions.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
TFO Canada
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
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Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Department-Initiated