TPSA’s Senior Gender Advisor, Leya Cattleya, participated in the forum on “Why Products of Indonesian Women-Owned SMEs Matter in the Canadian Import Market” with two other guests, Ida Farida Harris, President of IWAPI South Sulawesi chapter, and Sikie Purnomo, a popular fashion designer. The forum was attended by 1,500 IWAPI members representing chapters across Indonesia.

Using the TPSA manual A Step-by-Step Guide for Indonesian SMEs to Export to Canada, Leya explained the processes and requirements (both from the Indonesian and Canadian sides) in exporting. She highlighted the fact that the Canadian market values gender equity and are willing to support women-owned SMEs and patronize their products. Leya also informed the audience about other TPSA activities that aim to promote gender equality in domestic and international trade: gender and trade study; gender and trade dialogue; study tour in Canada to learn about Canadian business associations’ support to women-led SMEs in the coffee, footwear, and garments sectors; and gender training for the Ministry of Trade staff.

Ida Farida Harris talked about her experience as one of the four IWAPI officers who participated in the study tour to Canada in September 2016. She noted that the program helped her to realize that the global business has shifted its focus from mere profit to creating sustainable business practices that incorporate and promote social inclusion, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. She observed that, in Canada, both the government and the business sector work closely in promoting these values.