Women’s Business Missions

In April 2019, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada led Canada's first women-only business mission to Japan. The success of this pilot mission – with 34 delegates, 17 entrepreneurs, and six signed deals – prompted APF Canada to extend the model to other Asian markets over the next five years, an effort supported by the Government of Canada.

The ultimate goal of these missions is to provide a bridge to key markets in Asia for Canadian women-led or founded companies. They also support the Government of Canada's dual efforts to promote international trade diversification and advance women's economic empowerment by encouraging Canadian women in business to consider expansion into Asia's burgeoning markets.

As economies and middle class consumption grow in Asian markets, now is the time for Canadian women-led firms to take advantage of the demographic and economic pull factors in Asia to grow their – and Canada's – international footprint. Click here to read APF Canada's summary report of the Japan business mission.

For more information, please contact A.W. Lee, Program Manager.

Seoul, South Korea, Dates TBD

APF Canada's first women-only business mission to South Korea is taking place in 2020, dates TBD. This is the first of APF Canada's women-only business missions supported by the Government of Canada and Presenting Sponsor, Air Canada. The mission's key focus is to develop partnerships between Canadian women and South Korean business leaders in the care economy, and includes a one-day bilateral conference on broader gender policies including gender economic advancement initiatives in both countries. Click here for more information on the Women-only Business Mission to South Korea.

Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan, April 1-3, 2019

APF Canada led the first Canadian women-only business mission to Japan from April 1-3, 2019. This pilot was launched in support of the Government of Canada's efforts to promote international trade diversification and to advance women's economic empowerment by targeting the largest member economy of the CPTPP. The mission focused on the Care Economy and, in particular, on elder care given Japan's innovative advancements and approaches to managing its super-aged population, which represents economic opportunities for Canada's care sectors. Click here for more information on the Women-only Business Mission to Japan.