The federal government will lead a large-scale, multi-industry trade mission to South Korea this spring as part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, will lead the mission, which takes place in Seoul from April 21 to 25. Companies related to the creative industries, including audiovisual, interactive and gaming, will be part of the mission, as well as those involved in agriculture, clean energy and tech, information and communications, and life sciences.

Canadian Heritage will take part in the mission as part of the Creative Export Strategy, and will oversee dedicated components for creative industry participants, including tailored B2B meetings.

Eligible companies must be “export-ready,” and be able to show their potential to succeed in the South Korea market, according to the submission guidelines. Companies must also show they have conducted research in the market, and have a credible international business plan. The submission deadline is Jan. 12.

Creative sector companies were previously invited to attend a large-scale trade mission to Japan last October, which saw more than 160 companies from various industries participate.

Canada has expanded its international trade work in the Indo-Pacific region, following the launch of its Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2022, with $2.3 billion dedicated over the first five years. The plans in 2024 include trade missions to Malaysia and Vietnam in March – though creative industry companies are not eligible to attend – and Indonesia and the Philippines in the fall.

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