EDC to Provide Export Mentoring Services to Winners of Deloitte Canada's Best Managed Companies Award

OTTAWA, ON--(Marketwired - March 09, 2016) - Export Development Canada (EDC) today announced it will provide its global mentoring services to the 50 winners of Deloitte Canada's Best Managed Companies award.

The Deloitte award recognizes excellence in private sector Canadian-owned companies with revenues over CAD $10 million. These companies are considered poised to become leading businesses in Canada.

EDC is Canada's trade finance agency, and the leading provider of financing, insurance and bonding for Canadian companies of all sizes that do business outside of Canada. Its mentoring program is designed to help Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increase their export potential, develop international trade skills, and expand internationally.

The program offers market diversification strategies, focusing on the company's specific needs over and above what EDC traditionally offers through its products and services. Companies will also benefit from country, sector, and market research, expert contacts, and business-to-business introductions.

"Our aim is to give the little bit of extra help that can often make a difference to a Canadian company looking to grow their international business," says Marc Deschênes, Program Director, Mentoring and Advisory Services, EDC. "When working with companies like the winners of the Best Managed award, who are already well underway in their exports, we want to make their lives just slightly easier -- whether it's through matchmaking, market intel or whatever else their needs may be."

"The EDC representatives were genuinely interested in our product and felt that we were on to something," says Chris Bodnar, Vice President, Business Development of KnowRoaming Ltd., a past participant of the mentoring program. "They wanted to be a part of it and had a real willingness to help. As a result, the relationship we formed with EDC led to influential conversations with key decision makers that we couldn't have reached otherwise."

The awards will be given at Deloitte's Canada's Best Managed Companies Symposium on April 12, 2016 in Toronto.

Canadian companies with leading edge expertise and the ability or willingness to export that are interested in future EDC trade development opportunities can call us at 1-888-434-8508.

About EDC
EDC is Canada's trade finance agency, providing financing and insurance solutions locally and around the world to help Canadian companies of any size respond to international business opportunities. As a profitable Crown corporation that operates on commercial principles, EDC works together with private and public-sector financial institutions to create greater capacity for Canadian companies to engage in trade and investment.

For more information about how we can help your company, call us at 1-888-434-8508 or visit www.edc.ca.