b'CCAB Q&AWe have also formed working relationshipsand continuing to work with partners tointeract in person with new customers, with partner organizations internationally,develop Indigenous export capacity andincluding international customers.including IgNITE (Indigenous Networkconnections through training initiatives for Investment, Trade and Export) andand trade missions. THE REPORT ALSO FOUND THAT Supply Nation in Australia, Te Taumata inONE IN FIVE INDIGENOUS SMES Aotearoa, New Zealand, ONABEN (OurTHE 2019 REPORT THAT CCABEXPORT TO THE U.S. AND Native American Business Network) andCONDUCTED WITH GACONE IN SEVEN TO COUNTRIES NCAIED (National Center for AmericanFOUND THAT 24.4 PER CENTOTHER THAN THE U.S. CAN Indian Enterprise Development) in the U.S. OF INDIGENOUS SMES EXPORT.YOU COMMENT?HOW, IF AT ALL, DO YOU THINKIt makes sense that our closest interna-WHAT ARE CCABS PRIORITIESTHAT HAS CHANGED?tional partner by proximity is also our MOVING FORWARD IN REGARDIt was a surprise to me to see such a largelargest trading partner. What is surprising TO TRADE? number of Indigenous businesses with anperhaps is that markets in Europe and We are focused on trying to advance theinterest in international customers. ThisOceania are the number two and three calls to economic prosperity in the NIESprompted us to have a deeper look withmarkets. Despite many countries and non- (National Indigenous Economic Strategy)our partners at Global Affairs Canada. WeIndigenous businesses pivoting towards specifically on the following points: launched our largest survey ever and are inAsia, this is not a focal market yet for the process of reviewing this informationIndigenous businesses. Our research 102. Establish mechanisms to recognizewith the intention of releasing updatedshows that the U.S., U.K. and Australia Indigenous free trade zones, as definednumbers soon. As to whether they areare the export markets of choice for and regulated by Indigenous peoples. actively exporting, we are finding this isIndigenous SMEs.true of a smaller percentage of businesses, 103. Create an Indigenous export devel- and I think that this makes sense as manyIN WHAT SECTORS ARE opment corporation. Indigenous businesseslike all businessesINDIGENOUS SMES MAKINGare born out of an idea to shape theTHE GREATEST INROADS IN 105. Establish Indigenous-to-Indigenouslocal situation.TERMS OF EXPORTING? trade agreements and networks nation- CCABs 2019 report found that most ally and internationally. The timing of our work also matters. Theexport-intensive industries for Indigenous first survey was done prior to the pandemicSMEs, by Indigenous identity, were agricul-107. All free trade agreements includeand asked a broader question. Many busi- ture, fishing, hunting and trapping for First chapters on Indigenous peoples and trade,nesses had opportunities to meet andNations and Mtis, and mining and quar-co-developed with Indigenous peoples. interact with international travellers backrying for Inuit. Canada has great poten-when international travel had not beential in the natural resource industries. As Were conducting additional researchinterrupted. Our follow-up survey wasrecognition of Indigenous title and stew-ontradeandexporttoinvestigatetaken at a time of restricted travel, whichardship of our lands grows, so too will the nuances identified in earlier researchreduced some of the opportunities toopportunities for Indigenous participation in trade within these industries. There is also immense potential for Indigenous SMEs in creative trade and digital trade given the number of Indigenous SMEs selling art of various forms and providing educational or consulting services. THE 2019 REPORT ALSO FOUND THAT FINANCING AND CONNECTIVITY WERE THE GREATEST OBSTACLES TO EXPORTING. IS THAT STILLTHE CASE? Financing and connectivity are still some of the greatest challenges facing Indigenous businesses abilities to export. Capacity development is also a key issue that is somewhat intertwined with financing, given the need for funding to acquire additional support. While steps have been taken to address financing and connectivity issues, such as the provision of funds to distribute to Aboriginal Funding Institutions (AFIs) and large investments to develop high-speed, reliable connections throughout 70A CCAB PUBLICATION2023'