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Canadian Trade Commissioner Service
Canadian Trade Commissioners have served the business community
of their country for close on sixty years, the first full-time member
of this service having been appointed on January 1, 1895, with head-
quarters in Sydney, Australia. The foundations of Canada’s foreign
service were thus laid by a corps of commercial representatives who
created goodwill between their own and foreign lands by fostering an
exchange of wares. Through the provision of a better understanding
of Canada and its exportable commodities, they have contributed
substantially to the development of a country that has risen to third
place among trading nations of the world. These officers have also
sought new sources of supply for Canadian firms and consumers,
thereby contributing to the welfare of businessmen in their respective
territories.
Today, nearly one hundred Foreign Service Officers are stationed
at fifty-two posts around the world. Some of these are agricultural,
fisheries and forestry specialists whose principal function is to promote
the sale of such products, and to report on conditions in the trades
with which they are primarily concerned. These Trade Commissioners
assist Canadian firms in establishing permanent connections abroad,
either by correspondence, local calls or by providing visiting business-
men with introductions to suitable agents. They prepare market
reports on various commodities and reviews of general business condi-
tions, many of which are published in “Foreign Trade”, the fort-
nightly trade journal of the department.
These reports may include information on the local demand, prefer-
ences, tariffs, import and exchange controls, trade statistics, credit
ratings, competition and prices, terms of payment, packing, transport-
ation and insurance. Assistance is also rendered to foreign firms
contemplating the establishment of branch plants in Canada or the
manufacture of their products under licence. In order to familiarize
themselves with their territories and to obtain the required data, close
relations are maintained with government officials, bankers and
businessmen. Trade Commissioners are required to visit various
regions and other countries in their territories. They frequently
address gatherings of businessmen and show films, such as that illus-
trating the Canadian International Trade Fair, which is held each year
in Toronto during the early part of june. Some indication of their
activities is afforded by the fact that 9,700 inquiries concerning Cana-
dian exports and 7,800 concerning Canadian imports were handled
in 1953. A total of 162,000 letters and cables were received and 168,000
were despatched, while some 68,000 visitors were welcomed at the
fifty-two posts.
Canadian Trade Commissioners render services to other govern-
ment departments. Some of them perform consular duties, and handle
inquiries relating to immigration and tourism. They are often required
to devote attention to the Colombo Plan, the United Nations and its
Specialized Agencies, and to other organizations, such as NATO,
FAO, OEEC and UNRRA. They also serve as delegates or observers
at international conferences and community study groups. In posts
Concluded on page 7
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