Trade
Awards
JoAnna Townsend Award
WHAT IT IS: An annual award from the Organization of Women in International Trade - Toronto (OWIT - Toronto) to recognize an outstanding woman in Ontario whose advocacy and activities assist women in expanding their business growth internationally. The award honours the memory of JoAnna Townsend, a champion of women exporters, who died after a courageous battle with cancer.
COST: No fee for submitting nominations.
WHO QUALIFIES: Outstanding women who act as role models and mentors for women exporters and who foster growth opportunities internationally. Nominees may be entrepreneurs themselves or may participate on for-profit and non-profit boards, government committees and/or industry associations that champion the interests of women exporters.
INFO: Visit www.owit-toronto.ca
Associations
Organization of Women in International Trade: OWIT-Toronto and OWIT-Alberta
WHAT IT IS: The Canadian chapters of the Organization of Women in International Trade, a non-profit professional organization designed to promote women doing business in international trade, which has over 5,000 members worldwide.
OBJECTIVE: To enhance the status and interests of women in the field of international trade through the establishment of a global network of business contacts. OWIT's goals are to promote international trade and commerce, establish and expand international business contacts, particularly among women, and help members develop global business skills and stay current on international issues.
WHAT YOU GET: Networking through local chapter meetings and an annual international conference; access to an international Web site with global business contacts; education and training through topical meetings, workshops and seminars, and informative newsletters.
COST: $125 annual membership fee (Toronto); $75 (Alberta). Open to exporters and importers, service providers and government representatives involved in all facets of international trade.
INFORMATION: Toronto: e-mail amandad@owit-toronto.ca
or visit www.owit-toronto.ca Alberta: e-mail cheryl@intl-strategies.com or visit www.owitalberta.org
Commonwealth Businesswomen Leader's Network
WHAT IT IS: A network of businesswomen and associations from the 54 member countries of the Commonwealth, under the auspices of the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat.
OBJECTIVE: To develop linkages, expand understanding about how the World Trade Organization and other global trading organizations affect business, and to encourage businesswomen to provide more input into their governments' trade policies. The Network's first meeting was held in Australia in October 2001.
INFO: Contact Andrina Lever, at e-mail aglever@rogers.com or www.cbcglobelink.org/
Publications
Her Own Way
WHAT IT IS: A newly-revised woman’s guide to safe and successful travel, available in print or electronic format, originally written by “women and travel” consultant Evelyn Hannon, published by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
OBJECTIVE: To help Canadian women educate themselves to travel the world safely and responsibly and to encourage women to take a preventive approach to safe travel.
WHAT YOU GET: Practical tips and advice on such topics as: what steps you can take to avoid sexual harassment; how you can make your hotel room more secure; and where you can obtain consular assistance if you experience problems abroad.
COST: Free
INFO: To obtain more information or free copies of this booklet, visit your nearest Passport Canada office, e-mail enqserv@international.gc.ca, or call 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada) or 613-944-4000.
Beyond Borders: Canadian Businesswomen in International Trade
WHAT IT IS: A report by the Trade Research Coalition, with RBC Royal Bank as the principal sponsor, which documented the first in-depth research on Canadian women exporters, completed in 1999.
WHAT YOU GET: Strategies for developing international markets and tips for overcoming gender-based barriers.
COST: Free
INFO: International Trade Canada Publications at 1-800-267-8376, E-mail: engserv@international.gc.ca
Services to Global Markets: A Profile of Canadian Women Who Export Services
WHAT IT IS: A report by the Foundation of Canadian Women Entrepreneurs, based on the first national research of Canadian women service exporters, supported in part by RBC Royal Bank.
WHAT YOU GET: Statistics on women exporting services, key success factors and tips.
COST: Free
INFO: Foundation of Canadian Women Entrepreneurs at aglever@rogers.com
Web Sites
www.goingglobal.ca
WHAT IT IS: A portal link to the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT), in partnership with Exportsource’s Going Global Workshops.
OBJECTIVE: The 3-hour workshops are designed to help you make that crucial exporting decision and get you off to a good start on your journey towards foreign markets.
WHAT YOU GET: The workshops introduce you to the basic knowledge you need to do business abroad by helping you learn to identify market opportunities, leverage your resources to secure financing and insurance services, and negotiate partnerships with foreign shippers and distributors.
COST: between $50 - $120, depending on Workshop and location
INFO: Tel: 1-800-561-FITT (3488); e-mail info@fitt.ca
www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/businesswomen
WHAT IT IS: A comprehensive and easy-to-use Businesswomen in Trade site for both new and seasoned exporters.
WHAT YOU GET: News, events, practical strategies and resources for women interested or involved in international trade plus profiles of and tips from women exporters, both new and experienced.
INFO: Josie Mousseau, Trade Commissioner, Businesswomen in International Trade, 613-943-4556 E-mail: josie.mousseau@international.gc.ca
www.owit-toronto.ca
WHAT IT IS: The site of the Organization of Women in International Trade - Toronto, a chapter of the worldwide non-profit organization dedicated to providing women with educational and networking opportunities in international trade, with a focus on electronic commerce and export opportunities for women flowing from e-commerce.
WHAT YOU GET: Global business contacts and resources, international trade information and events, business development ideas, and success stories.
INFO: amandad@owit-toronto.ca
Statistics
- Exporting accounts for more than 40% of Gross Domestic Product in Canada.
- In 2002, small businesses were responsible for 20% of the total value of exports; medium-sized businesses accounted for 15% and large businesses accounted for 64%.
- Women own and/or lead 18% of all businesses in Canada.
- 6.9% of women business owners are exporters.
- Thirty percent of women exporters began to export at business start-up and 55% made their first foreign sale within two years of launching the business.
- Active Canadian women exporters generate close to 40% of their sales in foreign markets.
- Women-owned firms do business with Canada's most important trading partners. The U.S. is the dominant market where 74% of exporters are making sales. Sixty percent of exporters report activity in Asia and 58% sell in Europe.
- On average, women export services to 7 markets.
- Women exporters set aggressive growth targets, expecting to increase both total sales and export sales by more than 50% in the next two years.
- Active women exporters have an average 15 years of industry experience. Over 70% have a college or university degree. Close to 30% speak more than one language.
- Sixty-two percent of women service exporters export more than one service and 48% export training services.
- Eighty-three percent of women service exporters contract regularly with partners.
- Fifty-five percent of women service exporters have annual revenues of less than $0.5 million.
Sources: Beyond Borders - Canadian Businesswomen in International Trade, Trade Research Coalition, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, 1999; Services to Global Markets: A Profile of Women Who Export Services, Foundation of Canadian Women Entrepreneurs, April 2000; and Key Small Business Statistics, Industry Canada, January 2005.
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