The trade mission that I led to South Korea was the largest I had ever personally led. It included representatives of over 100 Canadian companies who clearly have been inspired by the trade agreement we've now brought into force between Canada and South Korea.
South Korea is a highly developed economy. It's a technologically savvy economy. It's one where we have tremendous opportunities to build partnerships to build a market. But what's perhaps just as important about South Korea is because it's our first trade agreement in Asia it becomes Canada's launch pad or platform into the larger dynamic Asian marketplace.
We know there are many Canadian companies that have expressed interest in beginning to explore Asia as a place to grow their exports and their markets but they've been reluctant to do so. We now have a trade agreement in place—the first in Asia, and we're looking at others. Because it's the first it does become our gateway into that larger region. We believe Canadian companies have welcomed that opportunity and that's why there were so many of them that came with me to Seoul and also to Busan, Korea.
While there they were of course able to engage with prospective customers, retailers, distributors, investors, and partners. We held what are called export cafés. This is a room many times this size with many round tables with chairs around them, and our Canadian companies are able to profile their products, their services. They put brochures on the table, then one by one we bring in prospective customers from that other marketplace. When I walk into a room like that and I hear the buzz I know that's trade going on in real time.
That's what it's all about. I wish some of you could participate on those missions. They are an incredible tool that we use to expose Canadian companies to huge markets all around the world.