Export Development Canada (EDC) has established a permanent office in Johannesburg to facilitate business between sub-Saharan Africa and Canada, the country’s official trade agency announced this week.
The new EDC office – which has already provided US$7.4-billion in financial support to African firms purchasing goods and services from Canadian companies – aims to facilitate $10-billion worth of business between sub-Saharan African and Canadian companies over the coming five years.
Jean-Bernard Ruggieri, who was appointed to serve as EDC's first chief representative in sub-Saharan Africa, pointed out that key sectors of interest for EDC include commodities, infrastructure, ICT, clean technology, transportation and agriculture. Light manufacturing and healthcare/life sciences are emerging sectors for EDC in the midterm.
"Canadian companies have strong capabilities in all of these areas and can provide Africa with the goods, services, and expertise that are needed in developing these critical sectors" says Ruggieri.
