In that regard, as Mr. Alexander mentioned, there are tremendous efforts being made through the trade commissioner service in our embassies, consulates and trade offices around the world in key export markets, be they in Asia, Europe or South America, to diversify our market base for traditional and innovative Canadian forest products. I'm including the whole suite of novel biomaterials that have been developed as we are moving toward a low-carbon, bio-based economy.
Efforts are devoted in the marketplace by the network of trade commissioners. As it stands right now, we have the equivalent of 20 full-time employees dedicated to this sector across a network of 45 embassies, consulates and trade offices worldwide working on the file, helping Canadian companies develop new markets and new distribution channels for traditional and innovative forest products.
Also, the second component, which is a major one as we're moving toward more value-added wood-based products, is the identification of innovation partners to help adapt those novel products and bioproducts to commercial applications outside traditional distribution channels. We're talking about wood components being used in polymers, in biochemicals, in biomaterials for use in the automotive industry and cosmetics and also covering a wide range of applications in consumer products, painting coatings. This is where we bring a really incremental contribution.
The third component is identifying and attracting foreign investors to partner with Canadian companies in developing new business entities in newer streams to help diversify our SMEs in Canada.