On May 25-26, 2021, the Canada Days two-day long online event was co-organised by HEPA Hungarian Export Promotion Agency and HEPA’s Canada Partner Office, altogether with the Hungarian Consulate in Toronto, the Embassy of Ottawa, the Hungarian Consulate in Vancouver and the Enterprise Europe Network. 

The two-day event was attended by 103 Hungarian companies, who were able to learn about the network that supports their export activities, as well as the most important features and trends of the Canadian economical environment. 

The participants were greeted by István Joó, Deputy Secretary of State, Dr. Mária Vass-Salazar, Ambassador of Hungary in Ottawa, Dr. Kristóf Szabó, CEO of HEPA, and Sándor Balla, Managing Director of HEPA's Canadian Partner Office. After the speeches, Gábor Simon foreign trade attaché of Ottawa, Máté Árpád Igaz foreign trade attaché of Toronto and Mónika Molnár foreign trade attaché of Vancouver presented the macro environment of Canada. 

Miklós Póti, Head of Sea Freight at HOPI Hungária Logisztika Kft. Experts from three Canadian economic development organizations - Montreal International, Toronto Global and EUCCAN in Canada West - described the business characteristics of the Canadian regions in which they reside and the investment opportunities available to Hungarian companies. 

The lectures of the second day enriched the audience with practical experiences. 

Mária Libaiová and Balázs Csutora, experts responsible for Canadian relationship from the HEPA Hungarian Export Promotion Agency, gave a presentation about the secrets and basis of becoming a successful exporter. Sara Holly from the Enterprise Europe Network gave an overview of the wide range of support that their organisation can provide for those companies who are considering opening up to foreign markets - or are already present on them. The foreign trade attachés presented the specifics of the Canadian health, IT, food and wine sectors, shared their thoughts on doing business in Canada, the specifics of the business world and the keystones of the export process from Hungary to Canada. Joseph Safian, Director of the Food Industry Sector at HEPA’s Canadian Partner Office, presented the country’s wine selection and features.

At the end of the event, partner companies with successful foreign market experience, such as Femtonics Kft., ImportRus Ltd., Nobilis Első Hazai Zrt., Bonaventura Gold Kft. presenting Primus Mineral Water, shared their Canadian success stories and experiences with those interested.