Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT)
2013-2019 CORPORATE MEMBER
Biographical Info
The Canadian Trade Office in Taipei was first established in 1986 with a mandate to facilitate trade ties between Canada and Taiwan. Since then, relations between Canada and Taiwan have strengthened and diversified considerably making Taiwan one of Canada’s most significant partners in Asia-Pacific.
A Message from Mr. Mario Ste Marie, Executive Director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei
It is my pleasure to welcome you, on behalf of myself and my colleagues at the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT), to our website. I am pleased to represent Canada in such a dynamic and welcoming place as Taiwan. Despite being located on opposite sides of the globe, Canada and Taiwan have built a relationship based on shared values of democracy and human rights, and a long history of people-to-people and commercial ties which the CTOT team strives to enhance every day.
People-to-people linkages between Canada and Taiwan were first established over a hundred years ago with the arrival of the Canadian Presbyterian missionary Dr. George Leslie Mackay on the shores of Formosa in 1871. Our relationship has come far since the days of Dr. Mackay. Young Taiwanese are traveling to Canada to take advantage of one of the best education systems in the world. Others pursue unique experiences in living and working in Canada under our youth mobility program, International Experience Canada. Taiwanese scientists are seizing opportunities for world-class research collaboration.
Taiwan is now Canada’s twelfth largest trading partner and fifth largest in Asia, a relationship that generates billions of dollars’ worth of trade every year. These ties are supported by accomplishments such as a visa waiver for Taiwanese passport holders, customs cooperation, and increased air traffic. The Canadian Trade Office in Taipei is working with Taiwanese and Canadian businesses, and groups such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan, to further promote bilateral trade and investment for mutual benefit.
Canadian technology is everywhere in Taiwan: from the mammoth damper keeping Taipei 101 on an even keel during typhoons and earthquakes, to the Bombardier trains running on the Neihu MRT line. Canadian seafood, organic agricultural products and craft beer are popular with Taiwanese consumers. We are particularly happy to see Roots clothing – a quintessential Canadian brand – seemingly everywhere we look.
Serving and protecting Canadians abroad is also a priority of the Government of Canada. Our consular section is one of Canada’s five busiest offices providing consular and citizenship services, and is committed to serving Canadians in Taiwan with dedication and efficiency . The Canadian Border Services Agency team co-located in the CTOT cooperates closely with Taiwanese authorities on combatting transnational crime.
In the years ahead, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei in 2016, and Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017. Whether you are Canadian or Taiwanese, whether you are interested in Canada for business or pleasure, I invite you to visit our website to discover Canada in Taiwan.