Sonia Lapierre

Background

About Sonia Lapierre

At Export Development Canada (“EDC”) our role is to help Canadian companies sell beyond Canada’s borders, including to the United States. We offer Canadian companies the financial tools, trade expertise and market connections that help them capitalize on international business opportunities. EDC today serves more than Canadian companies and their customers in up to 200 markets around the globe. The vast majority of our customers —80 per cent—are small-and-medium sized businesses. EDC operates like a bank and insurance company. We provide insurance and financial services, as well as other trade finance tools, which increase a company’s credit and cover it against payment defaults. In addition, we are able to provide knowledge and connections for our customers about the global markets they do business in. Through our representations in 16 key markets (vast majority in emerging markets) which show the most potential for growth, EDC’s reps in foreign markets help Canadian companies find opportunities by building relationships with strategic foreign companies as well as foreign and Canadian banks active in these markets, supporting and promoting Canadian trade worldwide. Whether you are a small, medium or large size company, if you sell products or services outside of Canada, or invest in foreign markets, we can help you to: • Grow your business outside of Canada • Get financing • Protect against risk • Free up working capital • Invest in Foreign Markets