Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
To the witnesses, thank you for being here.
Over the last few years, Africa has had some of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Ms. Urban, you mentioned in your remarks how there are many opportunities for Canadians, Canadian companies and Canadian workers.
When I was the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of International Trade, I went to South Africa and I met with some businesses. One of the business people I met with was a steel manufacturer who was starting, at that time, a business in Canada.
I asked him about the process by which he went about selecting this business and the investment in Canada. He had a simple answer. He said, “I was looking at the U.S. and I was looking at Australia, but I picked Canada.” It was mostly because of the trade commissioner service and how it was able to answer his questions, and how it was able to provide information quickly and efficiently and in an attractive way that helped the business owner make that decision.
I would like you to tell us about the work and the roles that our trade commissioner services are conducting right now in supporting businesses, and the opportunities that lie before them.