What we do

We’ve been Canada’s export credit agency since 1944. For over 75 years, large and small Canadian companies have counted on EDC to help manage and take on risk so they can succeed internationally.

• Trade knowledge: We provide expertise that enables our customers to make informed decisions and learn more about international markets.
  
  
• Financial solutions: We help companies get access to capital and credit by working with financial institution partners.
  
  
• Insurance: We offer protection that lowers the risk for Canadian companies doing business beyond our borders.
  
  
• Connections: We connect Canadian and international companies to help both parties grow their business.
   

How we do it

Unlike some export credit agencies, we’re financially self-sufficient and operate much like a commercial institution. We collect interest on our loans and premiums on our insurance products. We also sell bonds and raise money in global capital markets.

As an organization with offices around the world, we’re committed to the principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Through rigorous due diligence, we ensure that all projects and transactions we support are financially, environmentally and socially responsible. That’s just good business.

Our mandate is growing

In March 2020, the Government of Canada temporarily expanded EDC’s mandate to help non-exporting Canadian companies face the financial challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Working with our federal partners and financial institutions across Canada, we’ve adjusted our focus to support and protect Canadian businesses—whether they sell internationally or within Canada—during this global health crisis.

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

Our contribution to Canada

As Canada’s export credit agency since 1944, we’ve facilitated more than $1.5 trillion in exports and foreign investment by Canadian companies. That’s a big deal because Canada’s economy relies on trade.

In 2019, we helped nearly 17,000 Canadian companies expand their business into international markets. The majority (86%) were small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and they facilitated more than $102 billion in global business through EDC’s expert knowledge and financial products.

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