In autumn 2023, EEPMON represented Canada’s Creative Industries sector as part of the Team Canada Trade Mission to Japan. Comprising over 230 Canadian delegates, the mission was led by the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development.
As his second Minister-led mission, EEPMON engaged with fellow Canadian and Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Osaka and Tokyo to explore new business avenues. During the first day’s kickoff, the delegation heard from Ian G. McKay, Canada’s Ambassador to Japan and Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific. EEPMON also reconnected with Viviane Doyon from Canadian Heritage, whom he had previously met during the inaugural Creative Industries trade mission to China in 2018.
Left: Ambassador to Japan and Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific, Ian G. McKay addressing the delegates.
Right: EEPMON with Viviane Doyon from Canadian Heritage.
Among the highlights of the mission was an inspiring conversation with the Honourable Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and former CEO of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), focusing on digital arts and the creative industries.
Throughout the delegation, EEPMON maintained a practically full schedule of business-to-business (B2B) meetings, which were structured as 30-minute sessions based on profile matching. These sessions successfully generated new business opportunities, laying the groundwork for ongoing follow-ups with Japanese counterparts.
EEPMON stands at the main lobby in the Embassy of Canada to Japan
Left: Tokyo Skytree Right: Tokyo Tower
The delegation celebrated its commencement and the strengthening of bilateral ties with a gathering at the Ambassador’s official residence in Tokyo. There, EEPMON joined the Ontario delegate cohort for a group photo with Minister Ng. The mission provided valuable insight into various other Canadian competitive sectors, including agriculture, deep tech, clean tech, clean energy, life sciences, green infrastructure, and information and communication technologies.
EEPMON expressed gratitude to Minister Ng for her outstanding leadership, strategic vision, and dedication to showcasing Canadian business potential on the global stage. He also extended his thanks to Canadian Heritage, the Trade Commissioner Service, and Global Affairs Canada for their foundational and organizational support in streamlining engagements with Japanese counterparts and fostering new professional relationships.
Background
EEPMON Inc. was on the Team Canada Trade Mission to Japan representing the creative industries sector. As part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development will lead a Team Canada Trade Mission to Japan to help Canadian exporters and innovators from across the country position themselves in this market by showcasing their capabilities and competitiveness and facilitate long-term trade and investment opportunities.
Trade Mission Dates
Sunday, October 29 – Thursday, November 2, 2023
Market
Osaka and Tokyo, Japan with potential for another city (to be confirmed)
Sectors
The trade mission program will be tailored to areas of Canadian competitive advantage and will focus on the following sectors:
• Priority sectors defined in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: agriculture and processed foods, clean technologies, clean energy, green infrastructure, life sciences, and information and communications technologies.
• Creative Industries sector, supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage, a Trade Commissioner Service partner under the Creative Export Strategy.
Format
In-market
More information available on the Government of Canada’s website here.
