Twice a year, Export Development Canada produces the Trade Confidence Index, which is based on an independent survey of approximately 1,000 Canadian businesses. The survey seeks the views of Canadian business decision-makers (typically with knowledge of company export activities – CEO, CFO, VP Finance, Credit Manager) on the future direction of Canadian and international business.
The Trade Confidence Index (TCI) surged in spring 2012, following one of the lowest-recorded TCI scores. This rebound is largely attributed to a reversal in exporters’ expectations that global economic conditions will worsen. There is now a feeling that conditions are more stable. Exporters are projecting strong performance in export sales, as most of them are witnessing increased sales to their customers in the United States, and a growing demand for their products abroad. Canadian exporters are increasingly seeking out new markets for their products and services, with about three out of five companies indicating that they are planning to expand into new countries over the next two years. For a copy of the full report, go to www.edc.ca/EN/Knowledge-Centre/Economic-Analysis-and-Research/Pages/trade-confidence-index.aspx