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How to access $90,000 of export funding
Between 1990 and 2005, the US dollar was considerably stronger than the Canadian
dollar. Seeing this as an excellent opportunity to export, Canadian manufacturers began
to aggressively enter the US market. Canadian printers were one group that experienced
a tremendous amount of success south of the border since they had so much to offer
– including high quality print and quick turnarounds – all at US prices that resulted in
healthy profits. With the Canadian dollar now sitting at around 75¢ US these days, many
printers are once again seeing an opportunity to enter this large and lucrative market.
costs to develop international markets
and will cover business travel, participation
at tradeshows, market research, adaptation
of marketing tools for a new market, and
legal fees associated with distribution
agreements CanExport will not cover
on-going or operational costs within a
developed export market.
How do businesses qualify for CanExport
funding? In order to qualify for funding,
companies must meet the following criteria:
• Must be a for-profit company
Government funding programs for
exporters. If your company is considering
exporting to the US (or any other country
outside Canada) consider federal and
provincial government funding as part
of your strategy. They’re eager to help
companies that are exporting, as it
brings valuable revenue back into the
Canadian economy. Two government
programs that will assist include Can Export
(for market development in countries
outside of Canada) and the Export Manager
Program (to hire a full-time Export Manager
to develop an export market strategy).
Up to $80,000 to hire an Export Manager.
If you’re looking to develop an export
market, your company will need dedicated,
focused sales staff to be successful. If
you want to hire a dedicated Export
Market Manager, most provincial
governments will cover 50% of eligible
costs to a maximum grant of $80,000
over a two-year period.
How do businesses qualify for Export
Manager funding? To qualify for the
Export Manager funding program your
company must:
• Have sales between $2 million and
32 | April 2019 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE
$20 million annually
• Currently have exports sales ranging
from 10% to 50% of total annual sales
• Have a minimum of three employees
and a maximum of 500
• Must be currently established and oper-
ating in the province you’re applying in
• Must be in business for a minimum of
two years
When determining eligibility based on
export sales as a percentage of total
annual sales, export sales to the US will
not be considered if those sales result
in the company moving above the 50%
threshold.
How to apply for Export Manager funding.
Please go to: https://exportmanager.ca/
how-to-apply/. Companies should apply
for funding at least six weeks before
hiring the Export Manager.
The CanExport Program. CanExport
provides up to $100,000 annually for
market development in countries outside
of Canada. The goal of the CanExport
program is to assist businesses with
international business development.
The program will provide 50% of the
• Must be incorporated or a limited liability
partnership (LLP)
• Must have a Canada Revenue Agency
(CRA) business number
• Employ no more than 500 full-time
equivalent employees
• Have revenues of between $100,000
and $100 million in annual revenue
declared in Canada during its last
complete fiscal year.
As part of qualifying for CanExport funding,
you may be requested to supply copies
of your company’s financial statements.
How do I apply for CanExport funding?
Please go to: https://international.gc.ca/
trade-commerce/assets/pdfs/
CanExport-applicant-guide.pdf.
Companies should apply at least four
weeks before planning their business
travel, and can use the programs multiple
times per year. But they can only have
one CanExport application open at a time.
Bonny Koabel CPA, CGA, is President of
AKR Consulting Canada – a Mississauga,
Ontario firm specializing in Government
Grants, Subsidies, Tax Credits, Refunds
and Rebates since 2003.
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