BDC joined forces with the International Business Opportunities Centre (IBOC), a part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT); IBOC helps Canadian companies identify international business opportunities by:

• Communicating information about business opportunities received from Canadian trade offices
  abroad to Canadian businesses
• Matching these opportunities to the specific capabilities of Canadian companies in a timely and fair manner

Opportunities to develop international contacts
Through this partnership, IBOC provides BDC with specific international business opportunity leads. In turn, BDC matches the specific leads with potentially qualified BDC clients that can decide to pursue the business lead to develop their international contacts and expand their market even more.

How the matching process works: a step-by-step approach

Step 1
IBOC contacts BDC with specific international business opportunity leads. BDC matches these leads with potentially qualified BDC clients that are export-experienced.

Step 2
The BDC Account Manager contacts potentially qualified BDC clients directly for a possible match.

Step 3
If the BDC client expresses interest in pursuing the proposed specific international business opportunity lead, their name and contact information are forwarded to IBOC.

Step 4
IBOC writes to the BDC client directly if it determines that the match has good potential for success.
IBOC will then provide the BDC client with the contact information of the foreign firm and the responsible trade commissioner at the foreign Canadian Trade Office abroad.

Step 5
The BDC client contacts the foreign firm directly to discuss possible business relationship. It is the client's responsibility to conduct its own due diligence.

Step 6
IBOC will conduct a follow-up directly with the BDC client to see what finally evolved after the match.

Example - Specific international lead from IBOC

Case title: Wind Turbine Components

Canadian Mission: Chicago

Description: Seeking Canadian suppliers of wind turbine parts. The buyer is part of a purchasing team in the process of creating a new supply base for their new plant in Colorado, which will be operational as of fall 2009.

We are seeking information on suppliers in various regions and would like to know if you have a contact person or list of contact people could put us in contact with Canadian suppliers offering such products as large toothed gears (greater than 6" or 1.83 m in diameter), hydraulic components, large castings, machine components and electronics. Due to the nature of this business sector, exact precision and the respect of strict requirements regarding technical characteristics are essential and will be a deciding factor in selecting suppliers.

Important notice
Neither BDC nor DFAIT can make any promises that this matching will lead to any firm opportunity or transaction, nor do they endorse or vouch for the foreign company.

For more information on BDC's market expansion financing solutions and consulting services, contact us at 1 877 BDC-BANX (232-2269).