Deadline to apply: November 30, 2018
Please join Canadian Heritage on its second departmental trade mission. The mission will focus on Latin America, and more particularly Mexico, Colombia and Argentina from February 10 to 19, 2019. In addition to advancing business-to-business networking opportunities in the creative industries, the mission will foster a greater understanding of the Latin American business environment and its opportunities and challenges.
Mission objectives
- Establish and build relationships with governmental counterparts and key organizations (i.e. Pacific Alliance States, Mercosur and Ibero-American States) in order to secure Canada as a partner of creative industries, trade and culture, and advocate for Canadian creative industries to foreign governments.
- Facilitate market entry for high-potential, export-ready Canadian creative sector small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- Increase the visibility and profile of companies already established in the Latin American market.
Targeted sectors
The trade mission is targeted to sectors that present opportunities to leverage existing networks, play to Canada’s strengths, and have complementarity with the Latin American market. The following six business clusters are being projected but are not limited to for the trade delegation:
- film/audio-visual (including animation and visual effects);
- video games and virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR);
- music;
- digital content for public/creative spaces/museums;
- performing arts; and
- books.
Who should participate?
The 2019 Creative Industries Trade Mission to Latin America will be tailored to Canadian businesses that are seasoned exporters and have high potential and readiness for the Latin American market – essential for the trade mission to be successful.
Selection criteria
The trade delegation will be comprised of companies that:
- operate in one of the above-mentioned targeted sectors;
- have targeted Mexico and/or Colombia and/or Argentina as part of their international business strategy, either to export or establish a presence in the country;
- have not yet entered the Latin American market but have a strong interest and export-readiness for it and would benefit from mentoring opportunities with the Trade Commissioner Service and companies that are well established and have achieved success in Mexico and/or Colombia and/or Argentina;
- are already negotiating with Mexican and/or Colombian and/or Argentinean companies, and could benefit from a trade mission to further negotiations or close business deals. In collaboration with its partners from the industry, portfolio organizations or other government departments, the Department of Canadian Heritage will review applications for participation based on these criteria and on the mission’s objectives.
Program and itinerary
The business delegation program for the mission will include business briefings, pre-arranged business?to?business meetings, networking events, site visits (TBC) and overlap, where feasible with elements of the departmental program.
Mentoring activities will be organized for Canadian companies and export professionals — within the creative industries and established in the market — as well as for small/medium enterprises to enhance the Canadian presence and find potential synergies.
The mission’s itinerary will be developed to include Mexico City, Bogotá, and Buenos Aires which can provide many opportunities for Canadian companies in the sector. Companies are not obliged to participate in the entire mission and may choose to join in only one or two of the cities that the trade mission will be traveling.
Confirmed participants will be expected to make their own travel arrangements using identified reservation blocks as provided.
Participants will be responsible for their travel costs and expenses.
How to apply
If you are interested in participating in the trade mission, please submit your completed application form by November 30, 2018 to pch.missioncommerciale-trademission.pch@canada.ca.