What we do

As international risk experts, we help Canadian companies to navigate, manage and take on risk to support their growth beyond Canada’s borders. Since 1944, businesses of all sizes and sectors have counted on us for the export knowledge and financial solutions they need to succeed in global markets. Beyond our solutions, we believe that sustainable, responsible and inclusive trade is a powerful force for good in Canada and around the world, and that’s what drives us. 

Our solutions include:

• Capital – access to working capital and financing 
  
• Risk mitigation – insurance that lowers the risk of doing business abroad 
• Trade knowledge – expertise to help companies make informed decisions
• Global connections – relationships that connect Canadian and international companies and help both parties grow

International Footprint

With offices across Canada and around the world, we are close to the Canadian businesses we support and to the buyers in global markets that can connect Canadian exporters to international supply chains. 

Our Purpose, Mission, Vision and Values

We are Canada’s Export Credit agency. Canada’s Export Development Act establishes EDC’s mandate: To support and develop Canada’s export trade and Canadian capacity to engage in that trade and to respond to international business opportunities.

Our purpose, mission, vision and values bring our mandate to life. Together, they describe what we do as an organization, why we do it, what we stand for and what we aim to achieve. 

Our Purpose

Make Canada and the world better through trade.

Our Mission

We use our unique trade knowledge and financial solutions to support and develop sustainable trade between Canada and the world, and to enhance Canada’s competitiveness in the international marketplace.

Our Vision

By 2030, Canada has regained its standing as a leader in international trade, building a better and stronger economic future for all Canadians. 

Our Values 

Expanded mandate during COVID-19

With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting Canadian business and the economy, the Government of Canada temporarily expanded EDC’s mandate so we could help more Canadian companies during these challenging times, regardless of whether they export. 

This broader mandate enables us to provide emergency liquidity small- and medium-sized domestic companies –through our regular solutions as well as new programs. 

We’re working alongside federal partners like BDC, as well as Canadian financial institutions and insurance providers, to help Canadian companies and the Canadian economy during this health crisis. Our goal has been to act swiftly and effectively to help companies of all sizes and sectors, whether they sell internationally or within Canada. 

While our 2030 strategy focuses on increasing Canadian trade over the next 10 years, our domestic mandate is equally important in the short term.

FinDev Canada

In 2017, EDC was entrusted by the Government of Canada to create a Canadian development finance institution. Created as a subsidiary of EDC, FinDev Canada’s core mandate is to support inclusive private sector growth and sustainability in developing markets.

Learn more about FinDev Canada

We create trade connections

Critical to Canada’s trade success is the ability for Canadian companies, particularly SMEs, to connect to international supply chains. But that’s not always easy, especially in emerging markets.

We help Canadian companies gain access to global supply chains by leveraging our financial and equity investment relationships and working with partners such as the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) to facilitate connections between Canadian suppliers and international buyers.

We build partnerships that benefit Canadians

We collaborate with the industry’s most trusted organizations to provide Canadian companies with access to the latest trade knowledge and financial solutions that are complementary to EDC.

Much of our business is done in partnership with other financial institutions and through collaboration with the Government of Canada. By working with our trusted partners, we help Canadian companies succeed internationally.

See who we work with