Santa Catarina is preparing to receive about thirty Canadian companies interested in knowing the potential of the state. The mission, scheduled for August of this year, was announced by the Secretary of International Articulation of the Government of Santa Catarina, Juliano Froehner. According to the secretary, this visit is the result of his recent mission to Canada and his participation in Collision, an event in Toronto that brings together representatives from 118 countries.

The collision is considered a major audio event, with nearly 40,000 participants in attendance. For Froehner, this initiative has strengthened Santa Catarina as an international business destination and highlights the leading role of the state with its companies and productive force in the world.

The International Articulation Secretariat, under the leadership of Governor Jorginho Mello, has worked on trade promotion in Santa Catarina, providing monitoring, approval and support to all companies in the technology sector, including micro and small companies provided in Sebrae/SC, to stimulate internationalization. The Secretary emphasizes that there is support both for companies that already export and have subsidiaries abroad and for those that are attracted to Santa Catarina, including cutting-edge technology companies.

Toronto, the city chosen by Canadian companies to explore opportunities in Santa Catarina, is recognized as a major financial and commercial centre. In addition to being home to major companies, the city is a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. In 2017, the Toronto region recorded a growth of approximately 3.3% in its gross domestic product (GDP).

In addition to recently signed bilateral agreements, such as the Mercosur-Canada Free Trade Agreement for Brazilian Agriculture, Santa Catarina maintains strong bilateral relations with the North American country. According to the Fiesc Observatory, some of the products imported from Canada by the state of Santa Catarina are potash fertilizers, ethylene proteins, packaged medicines and nickel in raw form. Exported products include poultry and pork meat, electric motors, engine parts, electrical transformers and agricultural machinery and equipment.

In addition to the agenda with companies, Secretary Froehner will also have a diplomatic agenda at the invitation of the Technological Association of Santa Catarina (Acate) to discuss the maintenance of green spaces in Santa Catarina through carbon credits. The mission to Canada, which continues until this Friday (30), has the participation of Acate, the Brazil-Canada Mission, Sebrae/SC and the Canadian Consulate, with the institutional support of the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (BCCC).