The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) is pleased to announce that it will lead, with strong support from the private and public sectors, Canada’s First Women-only Virtual Business Mission to Taiwan in March 2021.
The mission’s two-day public conference, tentatively set for March 1 and 2, 2020, will be held during the global lead-up to the celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8, 2021). Following the success of its Women-only Business Mission to Japan (2019) and Virtual Mission to South Korea (2020), APF Canada will continue supporting women entrepreneurs in Canada to diversify and expand trade opportunities into Asian markets.
This mission will focus on improving the health of people by showcasing innovative industry solutions in sectors that both Canada and Taiwan have priorities, including, but not limited to: Biotechnology, clean technology, agricultural technology, advanced manufacturing, smart cities, and digital health technology.
WHERE: Taiwan, virtually.
WHAT: While a virtual model cannot fully replace the value of an in-market mission, this Mission will feature the same components, including a two-day conference with high-level speakers from Canada and Taiwan, personalized business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking for the 20 official delegates, and networking opportunities for attendees.
WHO: This exciting mission offers opportunities to women-identifying entrepreneurs (owners or those leading Canadian SMEs) looking to grow their businesses by accessing Taiwan’s market. Companies in science, technology, engineering, and other sectors that are traditionally under-represented by women will be prioritized for the mission. Selection of delegates will be conducted through a competitive process.
WHY: Taiwan boasts the 20th largest economy in the world by GDP and is the world’s largest exporter of computers and computer equipment. Taiwan promotes the development of several innovative industries that are also actively supported by Canadian industrial policy. Prominent areas of overlap include: Biotechnology, clean technology, agricultural technology, advanced manufacturing, smart cities, and digital health technology.
As a gateway to Asia, Taiwan is uniquely positioned to facilitate growth and expansion both domestically and within the surrounding region. Taiwan consistently has the lowest level of gender-based economic inequality in Asia. With 38.6% of all Taiwanese SMEs led by women and a labour force participation rate of 91.8% amongst young women, the Taiwanese economy represents a progressive and dynamic destination for Canadian women looking to expand their business into the Asia Pacific.
FOCUS: The Mission is focused on promoting women entrepreneurs in science and technology sectors that promote healthy living and a clean environment, so we can work together to improve health and environmental outcomes, while leveraging commercial growth opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
The key objectives of the mission are:
- To mutually showcase technology innovations in Canada and Taiwan in the areas of bioscience and biotechnology, clean technology, agricultural technology, advanced manufacturing, smart cities, and digital health technology
- To provide networking opportunities for Canadian women in business with counterparts in Taiwan
- To provide an opportunity to share insights and best practices on women’s economic advancement
- To facilitate business partnerships between delegates and Taiwanese counterparts
Visit our Taiwan Mission webpage . . .
To learn more about this mission, visit our Taiwan Mission webpage.
To become a delegate . . .
Review the eligibility requirements and submit an application to become an official delegate, by visiting our website. The deadline to apply is midnight EST, January 8, 2021.
To participate as a non-delegate…
Sign up here to be notified when registration opens, as well as to receive other announcements about APF Canada’s Women-only Business Missions series.
If you have questions or want to collaborate…
Please contact the Mission’s program manager, Dr. A.W. Lee, at a.w.lee@asiapacific.ca
This project is supported by a contribution from the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy.
