By NLOWE
On November 5, 2018, NLOWE’s CEO travelled to Hamburg, Germany, to represent the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) as part of the Business Women in International Trade (BWIT) women in business trade mission. The mission was significant in that it was the first for BWIT outside North America and the first Canadian trade mission to Europe since the signing of CETA (the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement). The mission started in Hamburg and moved to Stuttgart, where the delegation of Canadian women entrepreneurs encountered German businesswomen in matchmaker meetings. The mission then moved to London, UK, where the delegation attended the WEConnect International Europe Conference and participated in additional meetings with the UK businesswomen.
While in Hamburg, WEOC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the German businesswomen’s association Verband deutscher Unterneh-merinnen (VdU). The MOU outlines a shared commitment to advance trade, investment, and economic cooperation for women in business between the two countries.
The intention of the MOU is to:
undertake a dialogue to identify industry sectors with good potential for mutual international business
explore promotional activities in various forms, such as seminars and trade missions
promote the exchange of information among members with the objective of enhancing relationship-building and networking
Plans are underway to determine next steps for WEOC and the VdU. Both organizations are excited about the numerous shared trade and learning opportunities and are looking forward to our new partnership.
Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) is a national not-for-profit association of professional business support organizations dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment through entrepreneurship. Founded in 2010, it is directed by a volunteer board consisting of the founding members from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia who have identified the need for centralized leadership in supporting women’s enterprise in order to achieve inclusive economic growth in Canada.
Cover photo courtesy of Caroline Hiebl