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Request for Proposals: Indo-Pacific Business Survey: Perceptions of Canada’s Competitiveness and Asia’s Willingness to Engage

Apply to this RFP

Introduction

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) invites proposals from qualified consultants or research firms to design and implement a multi-country survey examining how stakeholders across the Indo-Pacific perceive Canada as a trade, investment, and commercial partner, and the extent to which these perceptions influence trade relationships, investment decisions, business engagement, and supplier selection.

This project will be co-ordinated by our Asia Regional Office in Singapore (remote).

About APF Canada

APF Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization focused on strengthening ties between Canada and Asia through research, education, and convening activities. The Foundation produces a range of research outputs, including reports and policy briefs, insights and explainers, surveys, and digital media, and provides Asia competency training for Canadian organizations, students, and young professionals.

Project Description and Objectives

Canada has heightened its efforts to deepen engagement with the economies of the Indo-Pacific under its 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy. While Canada is generally perceived positively in the region, there is limited structured evidence on how these perceptions translate into commercial outcomes, including trade relationships, investment decisions, and long-term partnerships.

Existing regional surveys, including those conducted by ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute and the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia, provide insights into regional perceptions of major partners. However, these surveys do not assess how such perceptions influence business decision-making and commercial engagement.

This project aims to address this gap by developing a survey that captures how Canada is evaluated in real-world business and trade contexts and identifies factors influencing its competitiveness relative to other partners.

The project will pursue the following objectives:

Establish a baseline understanding of how Canada is perceived as a commercial and trade partner in key Indo-Pacific markets;
Examine the extent to which positive or negative perceptions of Canada translate into business engagement and commercial outcomes;
Identify factors influencing supplier and partner selection, including how Canada compares to competitors such as Australia, the United States, and Japan;
Assess key barriers and frictions affecting engagement with Canada, including structural and regulatory considerations;
Explore observed asymmetries in trade relationships, including factors shaping Canada’s role as a supplier in regional markets;
Develop a framework for tracking changes over time, including indicators that reflect improvements in Canada’s engagement and competitiveness.

Project Scope

Geographic Scope

The survey will focus on selected Indo-Pacific markets, including:

Singapore
Vietnam
Taiwan
Japan
South Korea
Philippines
Indonesia

Target Respondents

The survey should focus on senior stakeholders with experience or involvement in Canadian:

Trade, procurement, or supply chain decisions;
Investment and business expansion decisions;
Regional business operations;
Policy, advisory, or research roles related to trade and economic engagement.

Survey respondents must be screened for suitability. Bidders are encouraged to propose an appropriate respondent segmentation strategy.

Research Approach

APF Canada is seeking proposals on the most appropriate research design to achieve the stated objectives.

Proponents are expected to:

Propose a research-driven survey methodology (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods);
Recommend sample size, structure, and recruitment strategy, taking into consideration Canada’s major export industries and the potential desire to cross-tabulate survey data by sector);
Consider the use of an initial exploratory phase (e.g. expert interviews) to inform survey design;
Develop an approach that captures business decision-making processes, including partner and supplier selection;
Propose a framework for longitudinal tracking, including indicators that can be monitored over multiple survey iterations.
Recommend how changes in Canada’s engagement can be measured over time, and what indicators would demonstrate progress.

Key Research Questions

The survey should aim to address the following questions:

To what extent do positive perceptions of Canada translate into actual business engagement and trade relationships, greenfield investments, and/or acquisitions?
What factors influence the selection of international partners and suppliers?
In which contexts are Canada considered a viable partner, and where is it not?
How does Canada compare to other countries (e.g. Australia, United States, Japan) in commercial decision-making?
What barriers or challenges affect engagement with Canada?

The successful bidder will be expected to deliver a comprehensive set of survey questions that addresses the core questions above, but will also generate considerable public and media interest in the overall outcomes/findings of the project.

Deliverables & Milestones

The consultant/firm will be responsible for delivering:

Survey design and methodology, including proposed question sets;
Survey instrument and/or qualitative discussion guides;
Data collection and analysis;
Final research report (5 – 10 thousand words), including an executive summary of key findings and policy-relevant insights for public consumption, as well as any associated raw research data;
Recommendations for improving Canada’s commercial engagement;
Proposed framework for ongoing tracking and future iterations of the study;
Presentation materials (slide deck and speaker notes) for senior stakeholders.

Project Timeline & Milestones

Milestone	Target Date
Project Kick-off	As soon as possible
Research Design Finalized	Four weeks post kick-off
Data Collection Completed	TBD in consultation
Draft Report Completed	TBD in consultation
Final Report Submitted	TBD in consultation

Qualifications & Requirements

Interested consultants or firms should demonstrate:

Proven expertise in market research, survey design, or market research (including survey design) and competitor analysis in Asia;
Experience conducting multi-country studies in the Indo-Pacific region;
Experience engaging with private sector stakeholders;
Ability to design research that captures commercial behaviour and decision-making;
Strong analytical and writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, actionable insights.

Budget

Proponents are encouraged to propose the most cost-effective approach within a suitable range based on market value and to clearly articulate any scope trade-offs or alternative design options.

Proposal Submission

Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026 (12 p.m. SGT)

Qualified proponents should submit a proposal in one merged file, including:

1. Technical Proposal

Proposed approach and methodology
Work plan and timeline
Team composition and qualifications

2. Financial Proposal

Budget breakdown, including professional fees and any additional costs

3. Relevant Experience

Examples of similar projects
Writing sample

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

Relevance and quality of the proposed methodology (25%);
Experience and qualifications of the consultant/firm (30%);
Feasibility of the work plan and timeline (25%);
Cost-effectiveness and value for money (20%).

Contact Information

For any inquiries regarding this RFP, please contact:

Jahafar Abdullah
Marketing and Communications Manager
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
singapore@asiapacific.ca

APF Canada looks forward to receiving proposals and working with partners to generate evidence-based insights on Canada’s commercial engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

Vice-President Research, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada

In a global economy defined by increased disruption, fragmentation, conflict, and shifting geopolitical dynamics, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is uniquely positioned to help Canadians make sense of the economic opportunities and geopolitical challenges of enhanced engagement with Asia at a time of unprecedented national economic challenges.

As Canada’s leading public-policy institution for research, analysis, and convening on Canada-Asia relations, with a team of 50 and an operating budget of $13M per annum, APF Canada’s mission is to enable Canadians to understand, connect with, and succeed in Asia. The Foundation plays a central role in Canada’s efforts to diversify its trade, investment, and geopolitical ties toward the dynamic economies of the Indo-Pacific.

We are looking for a Vice-President, Research to lead our research and programming activities during this new era in Canada-Asia relations.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Vice-President, Research, will lead APF Canada’s Research and Programs portfolio at a pivotal moment for Canada’s engagement with Asia. Working collaboratively with colleagues in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Singapore, and with a network of fellows and research partners across Canada and Asia, the Vice-President will translate the Foundation’s five-year strategic framework into an integrated annual agenda of research, policy engagement, convening, talent development, and in-region programming. As a key spokesperson and media commentator, the Vice-President will forge productive relationships with government officials, business leaders, academics, media, and other relevant stakeholders across Canada and the Indo-Pacific region.

The ideal candidate is a highly accomplished and respected leader with a deep understanding of Canada-Asia relations. They bring significant experience from a research-driven organization, academic institution, think-tank, government agency, or public- or private-sector organization with strong ties to Asia. A strategic thinker with sound judgment, they are skilled at translating complex geopolitical, economic, and policy issues into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences. They possess a strong track record of shaping research agendas, leading high-performing teams, and fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and intellectual rigour.

The successful candidate is an influential relationship-builder with an established network across Canada and the Indo-Pacific and a proven ability to cultivate partnerships that advance organizational priorities. An exceptional communicator and credible public voice, they are comfortable engaging with media, speaking at conferences and public forums, and providing informed commentary on issues shaping Asia-Canada relations.

To Apply

To fill this position, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers, with the search being led by Joanne McMullin. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online below. For more information, please contact Kristen Manning of Odgers at kristen.manning@odgers.com.

APPLY NOW

We thank all those who express an interest; however, only those chosen for further development will be contacted.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Call for Application: Canada-Asia Young Professionals Fellowship Program

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) is accepting applications for the next cohort of Canada-Asia Young Professionals Fellowship Program. The deadline for submission is 11:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

This nine-month, non-resident program is for up to 20 current graduate students and young professionals aged 22-to-30 with prior knowledge of contemporary Asia and an interest in understanding and advancing Canada’s relationship with the countries and people of that region.

Fellows convene once or twice monthly for 60-minute virtual meetings (with breaks during major holidays).

The focus of these meetings is on one of the following:

Overview of key issues and debates related to Canada’s evolving and deepening engagement with Asia
Q&A with experts
Group discussions
Workshops to help fellows sharpen their written and oral communication skills related to Canada-Asia analysis

Fellows’ average weekly commitment will be approximately three hours.

The program will begin in mid-September 2026 and conclude in May 2027. In early May 2027, the cohort will spend two days at APF Canada’s head office in Vancouver for an in-person retreat and the opportunity to network with other APF Canada staff and stakeholders. Travel costs will be covered by APF Canada.

Benefits to Participants

Through this program fellows will have the opportunity to:

Examine and discuss the key debates around how Canada should respond to Asia’s growing strategic importance
Connect with key thinkers and stakeholders in the Canada-Asia relationship
Network with like-minded peers
Strengthen communication skills

Eligibility Criteria

Ideal candidates will meet the following criteria:

Be aged 22-to-30 at the start of the fellowship (approx. September 14, 2026)
Hold a degree in political science, international relations, law, business, economics, Asian Studies, or a related program.
Have a demonstrated interest – through coursework, professional or volunteer experience, or lived experience – in contemporary Asia and/or the Canada-Asia relationship.
Be available for twice-monthly virtual meetings (60 minutes each).
Be available to travel to Vancouver for a two-day concluding event in early May 2027 (travel costs to be covered by APF Canada).
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

APF Canada is committed to supporting and amplifying the diversity of young Canadians’ voices that will shape the future of Canada-Asia relations. We invite and encourage young people from all backgrounds (including, but not limited to, racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds), sexual and gender identities, and abilities to apply. If you require any accommodations during the application process or the Fellowship, please let us know and we will work with you to arrange appropriate accommodations.

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: To apply, upload the following documents in one MERGED PDF file no later than 11:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Click here.

Current CV.
Official or unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary education.
A two-page cover letter addressing the points described below.
The names, titles, and e-mail addresses of two references, either professional or academic. Applicants will be notified prior to APF Canada contacting references.

Only short-listed candidates for the next intake will be contacted for an interview. Successful applicants will be notified of their acceptance by late-August.

*In your cover letter, please address the following:

On Page 1

Introduce yourself and describe what you hope to gain from participating in this program. Provide any information you would like us to know about you that is not included in your other application materials.

On Page 2

Describe one recent or current event in Asia (i.e. 40 years ago to the present day) that you have followed closely and why you think this issue should be important to Canadians.

Describe two additional issues in Asia that you have not followed as closely but would like to know more about. Why do you think these are significant issues and what 2-3 questions would guide you if you wanted to explore this issue further?

For questions, please contact Ms. Mei Terasawa at mei.terasawa@asiapacific.ca