Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
international.gc.ca
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Program Eligibility
Virtual Trade Commissioner
Eligibility
To be eligible, an association must:
- be a national association (or in some cases, a regional association with a national perspective) whose objective is to promote sector-specific international business development for its members and industry at large
- be registered as a partner-client (industry association) with the Virtual Trade Commissioner
- be incorporated
- not directly sell products that are sold by its members
In addition:
- activities must be part of a long-term international business plan and benefit an Association's entire industry (association members and non-members alike)
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities may promote products or services, improve market access, or generate market intelligence. Three types of international business promotion activities are eligible:- direct contacts (such as trade shows, outgoing missions and incoming visits)
- marketing tools (such as web site development targeting foreign customers, print materials and other materials that promote integrative trade opportunities of a Canadian industry
- other marketing activities (such as research, awards programs, and indirect marketing that promotes relationship building, or improves access to foreign markets)
Additional Annual Criteria
Before filling in the application form each year, associations must:- have a documented international business development strategy which has been approved by their governing body (e.g. Board of Directors)
- demonstrate adequate managerial and marketing capabilities
- have sufficient financial resources to cover their share of proposed activities
- be registered as a partner-client (industry association) in the Virtual Trade Commissioner
- have copies of Financial Statements for the past 2 years
Who is Not Eligible
- Chambers of Commerce and Trade Councils representing foreign geographic areas (with or without a Canadian chapter)
- Associations funded entirely by government (federal, provincial or municipal)
- If an association receives some government funding, GOA support will be granted only when the association's contribution for proposed activities comes from another (private) source - membership dues, for instance.
- Associations that have access to other federal contribution programs with similar objectives to GOA and support the international business development efforts of a specific sector are now ineligible.
