Go International : Canada

On April 20th, 2022, the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce hosted the “Go International: Canada” seminar, organized in close collaboration with the Embassy of Canada to Luxembourg, the Québec Government Office in Brussels and the CanCham BeLux.

This in-person event is part of the Go International series, aimed at introducing and updating on recent developments and opportunities in foreign markets. This edition was highlighting Canada as a potential destination for Luxembourg companies interested in doing business in the fields of ICT, CleanTech, HealthTech, FinTech, Space, and many more.

The seminar was opened by Mr. Carlo Thelen, CEO of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, who highlighted the excellent existing diplomatic and economic relations between Canada and the Grand Duchy before mentioning the upcoming Official Trade Mission to Canada (19-24 June 2022) as a unique opportunity for Luxembourgish companies to develop their activities, find new partners and prospects in Canada.

H.E. Mr. Alain Gendron, Ambassador of Canada to Luxembourg, made an official address in which he gave insight on the current bilateral relations, the potential for further economic developments between the two countries before listing 10 good reasons for doing business with Canada.

Ms. Michelle Gartland, Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of Canada to Luxembourg an Ms. Stéphanie Robin, Economic Affairs Attaché at the Québec Government Office in Brussels, then took the stage to give a general overview of the Canadian economy whilst focusing on the particularities of the provinces of Ontario and Québec, as the upcoming trade mission to Canada will lead the business delegation both to Toronto and Montréal.

In addition to the abovementioned economic overview of Canada, and in order to illustrate opportunities as well as the ease of doing business in Canada, Mr. Dirk Martin, Chief Sales Officer of Apateq and Mr. Olivier Raulot, CEO of iNUI Studios, shared their past experiences in the market, alongside practical tips and tricks with the audience.

Ms. Mihaela Bucuroiu, Secretary General of the CanCham BeLux, gave a presentation of the entity’s role in helping Luxembourgish companies settling in Canada. With a presence in both Brussels and Luxembourg, the Chamber accommodates its members by providing access to a wide network of international companies active in Canada, various thematic working groups and sectorial events. Ms. Karen Wauters, Honorary Consul of Canada to Luxembourg, heads the Luxembourg Chapter of the Chamber and actively invited the Luxembourgish audience to reach out to her for all things related to Canada.

Mr. Steven Koener, Senior International Affairs Advisor at the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce then gave a detailed presentation of the upcoming Official Trade Mission to Canada and listed all the incentives to participate:

The Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, in close cooperation with the Ministry of the Economy, will organize a multi-sectoral official trade mission to Toronto and Montreal from 19-24 June 2022. The delegation will be headed by H.R.H. the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and led by H.E. Mr. Franz Fayot, Minister of the Economy, and Mr. Carlo Thelen, CEO of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.

The official trade mission will include:

• a visit to Collision, North America’s fastest growing tech conference, attracting over 33,000 visitors, 850+ investors and 1,250+ startups from 140+ countries. Luxembourg will have a national startup pavilion at the fair,
• a participation in the b2b event organised on the sidelines of the Collision fair,
• a Business Forum in Ontario and in Quebec,
• the visit of flagship projects featuring cutting-edge technologies in Toronto and Montreal,
• and networking receptions in both locations.

The Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce has arranged for a discounted fair for participants who choose the recommended flights as well as advantageous group rates at hotels both in Toronto and Montreal. You can find more information in the registration form. Tickets to the Collision fair in Toronto will be provided free of charge by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.

If you are interested in joining the Official Trade Mission to Canada, please feel free to contact us (canada@cc.lu / +352 42 39 39 379).