Team Canada Trade Mission representing 230+ Canadian delegates. Delegation was led by Minister Mary Ng.

Photo of my first day kickoff Met Canadian delegates from so many industry sectors.

I was in Japan for the Team Canada Trade Mission representing Canada’s Creative Industries sector. Being my second Minister-led mission, I met and engaged with my fellow Canadian and Japanese SMEs in Osaka and Tokyo. This photo was taken on the first day of the delegation and was a successful kickoff!

Left: Ambassador to Japan and Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific, Ian G. McKay addressing the delegates. Right: With Viviane Doyon from Canadian Heritage (we were on the first Creative Industries trade mission to China in 2018!)

I had a great conversation with the Honourable Perrin Beatty, President & CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce during the Team Canada Trade Mission to Japan.

A stellar career to say the least, he was also the CEO of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). And yes of course we talked about digital arts and the #creativeindustries What an inspiration!

Behind the scenes on how TCTM B2B meetings are conducted. Company A would request a meeting with Company B based on profile matching. Once established, Company A and B get 30mins per session. Suffice to say, my schedule throughout the delegation was practically full! New business opportunities emerged from my meetings and will continue to follow up with my Japanese counterparts!

At the Embassy of Canada to Japan

Left: Tokyo Skytree Right: Tokyo Tower

Celebrating the commencement of our delegation and continued bilateral ties with our friends in Japan!

Group photo at the Ambassador’s residence. Here are the delegates representing the province of Ontario with Minister Mary Ng. It was insightful meeting other industries ranging from food/agriculture, deep tech., clean tech., clean energy, life sciences, green infrastructure, information and communication tech. to creative industries.

The garden at the Ambassador’s residence in Tokyo.

Thank you Minister Mary Ng for leading this successful mission. I want to extend my gratitude for your outstanding leadership and dedication during the recent Team Canada Trade Mission to Japan. Your strategic vision and tireless efforts were instrumental in fostering strong ties, opening new avenues for collaboration, and showcasing the incredible potential of Canadian businesses on the global stage. It is evident that your passion for promoting trade and investment knows no bounds, and your impact will undoubtedly resonate for us all.

Finally, I want to thank Canadian Heritage, Trade Commissioner Service, and Global Affairs Canada for providing the Creative Industries sector with the organizational and foundational support in streamlining our engagements with our fellow Japanese counterparts. I’ve made new friends along the way!

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.

I am very honoured to be selected to represent Canada’s Creative Industries to China with the Minister of Heritage, the Honourable Mélanie Joly leading the way.
[ Above Photo by the Ottawa International Choral Festival ]

— CITY: SHANGHAI, CHINA —

Amongst 48 delegates spanning across Canada in the SME creative sectors we engaged with our Chinese counterparts to foster collaborations and commercial partnerships.

I have always believed that collaborations are key to building stronger relationships between peoples, industries, and countries.

First B2B sessions took place at the Shanghai Power Station of Design. B2B meetings with Chinese creative businesses went very well thanks to the thought out matchmaking program expertly handled by the Canadian Trade Commissioner and affiliates at Redgate. Introductions have been established and I will be following up with my B2B contacts in the near future.

— CITY: GUANGZHOU, CHINA —

In addition to the trade mission scheduled for Shanghai and Beijing, I have been invited by the President of the China Animation Comic Game Group, Tuo Zuhai to speak at their 2nd General Assembly in Guangzhou – a conference which has the official approval by the China Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Amazing how candid conversations can blossom into new found friendships! Thank you President Tuo Zuhai of the China Animation Comic Game Group for inviting me to present at your 2nd General Assembly! 谢谢 for listening to my creative collaboration case studies and mascot designs!

EEPMON and President Tuo Zuhai of the China Animation Comic Game Group.

— CITY: BEIJING, CHINA —

My 2nd B2B meetings was a great success. This time it was an “open house” style followed by a set of appointments which I personally think added a nice variety to the meetings.

I met many Chinese creative companies ranging from museums, film to entertainment and fashion.

Thank you Honourable Mélanie Joly for having me in Canada’s first Creative Industries Trade Mission to China. “Doors are always open and keep coming to China”, are some of the positive impressions I took from both Minister of Culture, Luo Shugang and Ambassador John McCallum.

New relationships have been forged and now we will continue as delegates to bring them into fruition that will be beneficial to all! 谢谢! Merci! Thank you!