General Introduction :

With an area of more than 10 million square kilometers, Canada is the second largest country in world, comprising 10 provinces and 2 northern territories, and occupies more than 10% of the earth's land mass. It is bounded by the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans and shares a 6,000 kilometer broader with the United States. Although large in size, Canada has a relatively small population-27 million people-representing a fraction of one percent of the world's population.

Toronto is the largest city (urban area population 3.6 million), followed closely by Montreal (population 3 million). Vancouver is Canada's third largest city (population 1.5 million). Canada has two official languages, English and French. English is the main language of commerce throughout Canada. More than quarter of the population is Francophone and most Francophone live in the province of Quebec. Smaller Francophone populations also exist in Ontario, New Brunswick and Manitoba. Business operating in Quebec may be required to use French for operations carried on within the province.

Canada is both a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. The formal head of state is the Queen of the British Commonwealth, represented in Canada by the Governor General. Legislative powers are shared between the Federal Government in Ottawa and 10 provincial governments. In addition, the federal government exercises control over the territories, which make up the largely unpopulated northern half of the country.

Economy:

Canada is one of the major industrial economies of the world. Once almost exclusively natural-resource based, the country's economy has become highly diversified with a modern manufacturing sector.

The Canadian unit of currency is the Dollar. There are no currency or exchange controls whatsoever in Canada. The Bank of Canada guides the exchange rate by intervening in the free market to buy and sell Canadian dollars.

Foreign investment has historically been very important to growth and development of the Canadian economy. Most foreign investment has traditionally come from the UK and USA, although Germany, Japan and France are also major sources of new foreign investment. Canada has generally been receptive to such investment, which is monitored by Investment Canada, an agency of the Federal Government.

Importing Environment :

Although the population is a modest 26.6 million, Canada high per capita, gross domestic product (GDP), its impressive record of economic growth through most of the past decade and its openness to trade makes it an appealing market for international exports. According to data compiled by the International Monetary Fund, with 4.3% of total world merchandise imports in 1989, Canada ranked as the seventh largest importer among the developed market economies. Of the seven leading industrialized countries, Canada ranked number one in the absolute value of imports per capita in 1989. Though the United States is the world's single largest importer, its imports measured on a per capita basis are less than half the Canadian level.

Canada is a major importer of finished products. Some 66% of its total merchandise imports in 1990 consisted of manufactured products.

All goods shipped to Canada from developing countries are eligible for GPT treatment. Canadian buyers are demanding and most products sold in Canada tend to be of relatively high quality. Attractive styling or packaging is critical to selling most consumer goods. Often the Canadian importer/distributor will attend to or assist in this aspect of marketing one's product.

The following organizations can offer advice on Commercial information

HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA
10,Springfied Road, Ottawa Ontario-KIM 1C9,Canada.
TEL : 00-1-613-7443751 TO 53
FAX: 00-1-613-7440913
TELEX:053-4172
E-MAIL:hicomind@ottawa.net