Virtual trade mission to France
Building towards a green economy - Explore business opportunities in France
Virtual events: March 29 to April 1, 2021
France has ambitious plans to transition to a green economy, and is Canada’s ninth largest merchandise trading partner and the second largest economy in Europe. This virtual trade mission will help innovative Canadian companies access export and partnership opportunities in the French market, and allow participants to expand their insight into the following fast-growing sectors:
- sustainable mobility
- hydrogen technologies
- responsible goods and sustainable consumption
- information technology (IT) solutions for green recovery
The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) provides Canadian businesses with preferential access to excellent opportunities for growth in the EU. The CETA eliminates tariffs and reduces barriers for virtually all sectors and aspects of Canada-EU trade, and has been a significant success story for Canadian and French exporters and economies. Bilateral trade has increased by 23% since the agreement provisionally entered into force in September 2017.
If you are interested in learning more about business opportunities in France, and exploring the benefits and advantages of the CETA, join the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade and Ms. Isabelle Hudon, Ambassador of Canada to France, on a virtual trade mission to France.
Why participate?
- Take advantage of the virtual format of this trade mission to explore a new, vibrant market in a low-risk, low-cost manner
- Learn about export services and funding programs
- Hear from fellow Canadian entrepreneurs who have succeeded in expanding internationally and doing business in France
- Learn about the benefits and advantages of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA)
- Seize opportunities in France as it accelerates its transition to a green economy
- Get your questions answered through question and answer sessions and take advantage of networking opportunities
Exploratory stream: Preparing for doing business in France – March 29, 2021
Time: 11:00 – 16:00 EDT
Every Canadian entrepreneur with an ambition to sell their products or services overseas requires the confidence to realize their goals.
During this session you will:
- learn the importance of trade diversification and the benefits of working with the TCS and its export partners
- gain a broader understanding of the opportunities in France
- hear about export support for Canadian businesses
- get inspired by hearing from Canadian businesses that have had export success
Program (subject to change)
- Opportunities in France
- Conversation with Canadian business champions
- Why the green economy matters to France
- Exporter tools of the trade
- FTA and CETA 101
- CanExport funding
Who can participate?
- All sectors are welcome
- First time and experienced exporters interested in exploring the French market
Exporter stream: Responsible goods and sustainable consumption – March 30, 2021
Time: 11:00 – 14:30 EDT
More and more French consumers are turning to sustainable products and increasing their use of e-commerce platforms to facilitate access, which creates significant opportunities for high quality Canadian sustainable goods. Participants will learn about the characteristics of sustainable products that are important for the French market, such as:
- a family history
- sustainable production
- natural or organic raw materials
- how opportunities can be further facilitated by the CETA
Subsectors of particular interest are:
- organic/sustainable ingredients for cosmetics or perfumes
- organic/sustainable cosmetics or perfumes
- high-end and sustainable apparel and accessories
- e-commerce-ready sustainable products
Program (subject to change)
- Sustainable consumption trends in France
- French consumption market—understanding the French consumer
- E-commerce ecosystem in France
Who can participate?
Export-ready Canadian delegates interested in selling their sustainable consumer goods in France including via e-commerce platforms.
Exporter stream: Hydrogen technologies – March 31, 2021
Time: 11:00 – 15:20 EDT
On September 8, 2020, France launched a Carbon-free Hydrogen Strategy, endowed with 7B€ (CDN $11 billion) of public investment over 10 years, including 2B€ (CDN $3.1 billion) in 2020-2022.
This means opportunities for Canadian suppliers of hydrogen technologies and products, upstream and downstream, along the whole chain of components of the hydrogen industry, particularly in the following areas:
- hydrogen mass storage of intermittent renewable energies (wind, solar)
- hydrogen charging stations
- hydrogen production infrastructure, primary power and heat for homes and buildings
- emergency power
Program (subject to change)
Companies interested in participating in the Hydrogen session will follow the Canada-European Union (EU) workshop on CETA Opportunities for the Cleantech sector delivered by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the EU Delegation to Canada. This day of the workshop will focus on opportunities in Canada and the EU and experiences of companies in hydrogen, fuel cells, CCUS and circular economy.
Contact the Trade Missions team for information on how to register for this event.
Who can participate?
Export-ready Canadian companies specialized in hydrogen technologies, interested in partnering with the French industry and/or exporting their products and technologies to France.
Exporter stream: Innovative information technology (IT) solutions for a green recovery – March 31, 2021
Time: 11:00 – 15:00 EST
The French market offers interesting opportunities for green IT solutions that can:
- enable low-carbon electricity
- reduce transport activity
- improve vehicle efficiency
- develop alternative fuels and electrification
- optimize energy efficiency
- create smart-cities
- optimize supply chains
- improve materials
Sub-sectors of particular interest are:
- artificial intelligence
- robotics
- machine learning
- big data analytics
- predictive analytics
Program (subject to change)
- Women entrepreneurs in information and communications technologies (ICT)
- Introduction to the French green information technology (IT) ecosystem
- Green IT opportunities with French companies
Who can participate?
Export-ready Canadian companies, including high growth companies, interested in collaborating with the French innovation ecosystem and/or exporting their products, services or technologies to France.
Exporter stream: Opportunities for sustainable mobility in France – April 1, 2021
Time: 11:00 – 15:30 EDT
France has identified mobility, particularly sustainable mobility, as a focus of its post-COVID economic recovery. This sector benefits from a 40B€ investment through automotive and aerospace recovery plans, as well as France Relance, which is France’s cross-sector economic recovery plan. France aims to become a leader in the field of hydrogen and electric mobility, and to deploy the use of soft and sustainable mobility throughout the country.
These efforts translate into opportunities for Canadian businesses in the following areas:
- electric mobility
- hydrogen mobility
- hydrogen-powered aircraft
- mobility as a service
Program (subject to change)
- Introduction to sustainable mobility in Canada and France
- Challenges and opportunities in the French electric vehicle market
- Sustainable mobility and the city of tomorrow
- The hydrogen revolution and the future of mobility and transportation
Who can participate?
Export-ready Canadian companies specialized in sustainable mobility technologies, interested in partnering with French industry and/or exporting their products to France.
Register
Register by March 19, 2021 to participate in these free events. Applications will be screened for suitability and to determine program placement.
Key contacts
Contact the Trade Missions team for more information about the trade mission.
