Canadian Women's Business Mission APF Leads Taiwan Vietnam Expansion

10 Feb, 2024

Canadian Women's Business Mission APF Leads Taiwan Vietnam Expansion

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, supported by both public and private sectors, proudly announces its leadership of a Canadian Women-only Business Mission to Taiwan and Vietnam set for the fall of 2024. This initiative, backed by the Government of Canada via the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund, is a pivotal part of the Foundation’s ongoing business mission series, Northeast X Southeast: Advancing Partnerships Between Canada and Asia.

As the eighth mission in APF Canada’s Women’s Business Missions to Asia Series, this journey to Taiwan and Vietnam seeks to unite Canadian women entrepreneurs with businesses in both regions. The mission aims to foster gender-inclusive trade, bolster support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and forge international partnerships between Canadian companies and these pivotal Asian markets.

Participants in the Canadian Women-only Business Mission will engage in public conferences featuring esteemed speakers from Canada, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Topics will include bilateral and regional trade matters, gender inclusivity in the economy, and SME support strategies. Additionally, delegates will partake in tailored business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions, company presentations, and networking opportunities with conference attendees and potential stakeholders in Taiwan and Vietnam.

Taiwan, renowned for its high-tech manufacturing landscape, and Vietnam, a rapidly growing economy, offer lucrative prospects for Canadian businesses, particularly in the tech sector. Leveraging these complementary markets, Canadian companies can establish a strong presence in the Indo-Pacific region's high-tech value chain and cultivate mutually beneficial alliances.

Taiwan's thriving C$1-trillion economy presents an enticing destination for Canadian enterprises, boasting a skilled workforce and a prominent role in global high-tech value chains. In 2022, bilateral trade between Canada and Taiwan totaled C$12 billion, with services trade reaching C$1.9 billion. Noteworthy exports from Taiwan to Canada include electronic and mechanical equipment and semiconductors, while imports consist of petroleum products, automobile parts, and mineral ores. Bilateral foreign direct investment reached C$602 million in 2022, further emphasizing the commitment to bolstering trade and investment ties between Ottawa and Taipei.