Ontario's Global Presence

According to today's global business model, companies locate their businesses where they find the best combination of talent, cost-efficiencies and market infrastructure.

That's why Ontario has become the location of choice for companies that are expanding globally. Ontario serves as a gateway to financial opportunity and market growth for Ontario-based companies like Blackberry-smartphone maker Research In Motion (RIM), and for global firms like Japanese multinational Toyota, which chose Ontario as the only site outside Japan to produce its luxury Lexus line.

Ontario has one of North America's top ten economies and its second largest manufacturing sector. Our total trade with leading European countries has grown to $30 billion annually and almost $40 billion with Asian leaders. And our GDP, at $542 billion+, is larger than that of Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Austria or Switzerland.

Ontario's government works continually to increase the province's competitive advantages in investment. These ingredients explain why foreign direct investment in Ontario has soared as multinationals recognized the tremendous advantages of doing business here.

The Government of Ontario, Canada has established a network of International Marketing Centres in key markets worldwide. Part of the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, the Marketing Centres serve to promote investment and trade opportunities in Ontario and working with companies to find investment opportunities in Ontario. Their activities include:

Attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into Ontario;
Promoting awareness of, and access to, Ontario-produced goods and services;
Building strong, strategic relationships with the media and local governments;
Networking to raise Ontario's profile as a world-class business jurisdiction; and
Obtaining and disseminating timely commercial intelligence in key markets.

Locations

All Ontario International Marketing Centres are located within Canadian diplomatic missions abroad. Currently, there are ten International Marketing Centres located in eight countries. Headquarters are located in Toronto :