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Ontario Chamber of Ontario Chamber of CommerceCommerce60,000 members through 160

independent chambers of commerce and boards of trade province wide.

As the most diverse and influential business group in the province, the OCC works closely with governments, labour, academia and various other groups to create a stronger and more vibrant economy in Ontario and the surrounding regions.

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A Call to ActionA Call to Action

Ontario’s economy is facing a number challenges:◦Stronger Canadian dollar◦Higher energy prices ◦Weakening US economy◦Increased global competition

SME’s play a vital role in job creation & growth of the economy.

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Our ResponseOur ResponseVENTURESOGTA awards

“a diversification strategy is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity” Len Crispino, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Export Market Access

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Export Market Access Export Market Access (EMA)(EMA)

Objectives:

To help SMEs◦Seek out, access and expand in new

global markets, beyond the US◦Increase export sales of Ontario

goods and services

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General GuidelinesGeneral Guidelines

Eligible costs are shared 50/50 between OCC and applicant

Non repayable grant

Maximum grant $30,000

Two approved applications per year

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Eligible ApplicantsEligible Applicants

Between 5 and 500 employeesMinimum annual sales of $500,000A registered company for at least 2

yearsEstablished and operating in OntarioExisting goods and services

produced in Ontario Cannot be in receipt of public funds

towards activities contained in the application other than from MITI

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Eligible ActivitiesEligible Activities

Direct Contacts

Marketing Tools

Market Research

Foreign Bidding Projects

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Direct ContactsDirect ContactsInternational trade shows, fairs

and exhibitsIncoming or outgoing missionsMust be verifiable and supported

by third partyPreference to applicants with

market entry plan that demonstrates product is acceptable to target market

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Marketing ToolsMarketing Tools

Developing Promotional material

Translating Promotional documents

Developing display panels or information booths

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Market ResearchMarket Research

Conducting precise market research

Contracting market research on market size, trends, competitor activity, buying attitudes etc.

Developing international marketing/market entry plan

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Foreign Bidding ProjectsForeign Bidding ProjectsFor the providers of professional

services bidding on foreign projects against foreign competition

Not intended for:◦Foreign joint ventures, unsolicited

proposals or bids◦Where there are no foreign companies

bidding or being considered for the project.

Support for foreign bidding includes:◦Pre-feasibility studies◦Proposal preparation at the pre-

contractual stage12

Non-eligible CostsNon-eligible Costs Shipping of product samples Travel to Canada for consultants hired by applicant Travel within Canada for applicant officials Web site hosting Salaries and commissions All recoverable taxes Capital costs such as furniture computers etc. Entertainment and hospitality Postage and courier fees Building web applications Creating content for web sites Creating on-line tools E-news letters/e-commerce portals Cost to modify existing products or packaging for foreign

standards/regulations Purchase of software applications

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Evaluation CriteriaEvaluation Criteria

Eligibility of activities and expenditures and the linking to EMA objectives

Financial and management capability of the applicant

Level of funding requested in relation to performance measures

Validation of expected results14

Getting StartedGetting Started

Go to www.exportaccess.ca

Check eligibility criteria

Review EMA Application Guide for detailed program information

Follow instructions in the EMA Guide to the On-Line Application Process to complete the application

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An initiative of