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.