The European Union (EU) offers tremendous potential for Ontario exporters. The EU is a partnership of 25 independent states founded to enhance political, economic and social cooperation within the European community. With a combined population of 455 million, the EU is Canada's second most important trade and investment partner (after the United States), with two-way trade in goods and services totaling $77.8 billion annually. Trade potential continues to grow with the dismantling of trade barriers, improved trade relations and the growth of new commercial ties.

While the opportunities for Ontario companies in this new and growing international marketplace are immense, success requires careful planning and access to accurate, timely information. "Exporting to The European Union - A Guide to Online Export Service Resources" is designed to help you do just that, outlining sources of information on a wide variety of export related topics specific to the EU.

Ontario Exports Inc. is here to help you. As Ontario's export development agency we can assist in analyzing some of the key issues that you need to consider for this market, whether your firm is new to exporting or considering diversifying your export markets. We hope that you will find this guide helpful, informative and relevant to your needs.

July 2005

The information contained in this publication is provided as a public service and should not be construed, taken or interpreted as legal or professional advice. Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information is as accurate and current as possible, errors do occasionally occur. Readers should verify the information themselves before acting on it and where appropriate, seek legal and other professional advice. The sites listed in this directory may or may not be available in French. Some sites listed may have limited content in English.

The listings do not imply any endorsement or guarantee for the organizations or information found on their respective Websites by the Government of Ontario or Ontario Exports Inc. You ought to review the privacy notice on those sites as their information collection practices may differ, as well as their terms of use.

In addition, the Government of Ontario and Ontario Exports Inc. do not assume and are not responsible for any liability arising from the use of these sites or this publication or from the linking to or the downloading of information or materials from any of the websites listed. The Government of Ontario and Ontario Exports Inc. do not assume and are not responsible for any liability for the operation, content (including the interpretation, comments or opinions expressed therein) or the right to display any such material information on any of the websites listed. Neither the Government of Ontario nor Ontario Exports Inc. shall be liable for damages of any kind arising from this use of this publication site, including direct, special, indirect, punitive or consequential damages. Specific comments or inquiries regarding those sites listed in this publication should be directed to the individual organization.

Please note that the information and website addresses listed were current as of February 1, 2005 and are subject to change without notice.

Listings marked with a ($) symbol are subject to subscription fees or other charges. Some sites may require registration in order to access their contents.

If you have any questions about specific information in this publication or to request extra copies call us at:

416-314-8200 or
877-46-TRADE (468-7233)
or by email:

To view this publication online, please visit the OEI website at:
www.ontarioexportsinc.com
Ontario Exports Inc. is the province of Ontario's export
development agency and is QMS Registered to the
ISO 9001:2000 Standard
Disponible en français
ISBN 0-7794-7303-5

UNDERSTANDING THE EUROPEAN UNION

1. MARKET RESEARCH

2. CUSTOMS, TAXES AND TRAVEL

3. PRODUCT STANDARDS

4. MARKETING IN THE EU

5. THE EU BY COUNTRY

APPENDIX

The European Union's (EU) roots date back to 1950, when French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman delivered a speech proposing the integration of the coal and steel industries of Western Europe. Schuman's intentions were not only economic, as he reasoned that countries with integrated coal and steel industries were much less likely to go to war against each other.

Belgium, West Germany, Luxembourg, France, Italy and the Netherlands soon formed the European Coal and Steel Community. Its success spawned the Treaties of Rome in 1957, which established the European Atomic Energy Community and the European Economic Community (EEC). Member states began to remove trade barriers, and in 1967 the three European communities merged and later established the European Parliament.

The EU's growth has been constant ever since. In 1973, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined, followed by Greece in 1981, Spain and Portugal in 1986 and Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995. In 2004, the European Union welcomed 10 new member countries: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. As of early 2005, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Croatia are "candidate" countries that have applied to join the EU.

The Treaty of Maastricht in 1992 introduced new forms of co-operation between the member state governments in areas such as defence, justice, and home affairs, and created the European Union, comprising five separate institutions:

• European Parliament (elected by the peoples of the Member States)
• Council of the European Union (representing the governments of the Member States)
• European Commission (driving force and executive body)
• Court of Justice (ensuring compliance with the law)
• Court of Auditors (controlling sound and lawful management of the EU budget).

Today, the European Union has 25 member countries, with the four candidate countries (Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania and Croatia) expected to join by 2007. At that point, the EU's population will exceed half a billion people.

A key component of your market diversifiction strategy Ontario companies that want to lessen their dependence on domestic and U.S. markets should consider looking at the European Union: a single market of close to half a billion consumers. Trade between the two jurisdictions is already robust. In 2003, trade in merchandise between the EU 25 and Canada totaled 37.3 billion, with total trade in services between Canada and the EU 15 reaching 14.6 billion in 2002. ¹

Canada is the EU's ninth largest trading partner, and this solid base of trade gives Ontario exporters a crucial advantage. Our products and services are generally already well-known and accepted through much of the EU. Strong ties between Ontario's large population of immigrants from Europe and their home countries often pave the way for export sales. Currently, Canada's main exports to the EU are machinery (22 percent), transportation equipment (21 percent), agricultural products (10 percent) and chemical products (6 percent). ¹

Exporting to the EU is about to get easier for Ontario companies. The EU and Canada have a strong economic partnership that dates back to 1959, and have reached numerous agreements on areas as diverse as fisheries, wines and spirits, atomic energy and nuclear research as well as customs cooperation.

¹ http://webapps.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/MinPub/Publication.asp?Language=E&publication_id=381917

In late 2004, the Government of Canada and the European Commission (EC) adopted a voluntary Framework for Regulatory Cooperation that will eventually reduce bilateral barriers to trade. The goal is to increase market access on both sides, by reducing the impact of regulations on business to avoid potential trade irritants.

Regulatory cooperation is one of the key elements of the proposed bilateral Canada-EU Trade and Investment Enhancement Agreement (TIEA). Now under negotiation, the TIEA gives Canada and the EU the opportunity to address barriers to trade and investment on a "two-track" approach. While they are not free trade agreements, these initiatives will provide Ontario exporters with steadily increased access to the lucrative EU market.

Information: the first step toward market diversification After you have familiarized yourself with the EU on the following two websites, use the Guide to Online Export Service Resources to zero in on your particular areas of interest in exporting to the EU. Using the guide will save you time, and lead you directly to the information sources you need for successful exporting.

The European Union in the World http://europa.eu.int/comm/world/. This portal is a great starting point for any research related to the EU, and offers a good indication of the sheer scope of the EU market. Providing links and gateways to virtually all EU organizations and members, the portal covers everything from foreign policy and external trade to humanitarian aid.

A to Z Index of European Union Websites http://www.eurunion.org/infores/euindex.htm. This index is a guide to information on the website of the European Commission Delegation in Washington, as well as on all of the websites of the European Union's institutions and specialized agencies in Europe.

European Commission Delegation to Canada
http://www.delcan.ec.europa.eu/
The Delegation of the European Commission to Canada is a full-fledged diplomatic mission and works closely with the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States. This site is a good starting point for general research on the EU and offers numerous links to EU sites and contacts in Ottawa.

TradeMap Canada
http://exportsource.ca/gol/exportsource/site.nsf/en/es02325.html
TradeMap is a powerful information tool created by the International Trade Centre in Geneva to give exporters and trade professionals ready access to key international trade data. Team Canada Inc. provides this service to Canadians, and registration is required. Registration also includes access to Product Map, another tool to assess global market trends and identify opportunities in 72 sectors. The TradeMap site can be difficult to access because of its popularity.

EU External Trade
http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/
The Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission implements the EU's external trade policy. This site offers numerous links and detailed information on a wide range of trade issues, including sectoral issues in agriculture, services and industrial goods. Specific links are detailed elsewhere in this guide.

Bilateral Trade Relations
http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/index_en.htm
This site offers detailed information on the trade relationship between Canada and the EU, including history and current trade statistics.

Canada and the EU
Government of Canada: Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/can_eu-en.asp
An overview and history of Canada/EU relations, covering trade and investment, science and technology and many other areas of joint interest.

Canadian Government Offices in EU Countries
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/EU/eu-missions-en.asp
Lists locations and contact information for Canadian embassies, consulates and high commissions in EU countries.

Eurostat
http://epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int/pls/portal
A treasure trove of current statistical information is available here, free of charge, from the Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat). Data cover the European Union, its member states and partners, and are published under a variety of themes and collections. The website is updated daily.

World Statistics Portal
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/
Compiled statistics from numerous international sources, global updates, and yearbooks in specialized fields of statistics. It also offers access to specific country statistics for easy comparisons.

OECD Statistics
http://www.oecd.org/statsportal/
The OECD's Statistics Directorate provides data on demography, economic indicators, development, health, etc. on this site.

Global Data Portal
http://www.worldbank.org/data/
This site gathers and organizes economic data from national governments all over the world.

Demographic Information
http://www.unece.org/stats/gender/web/welcome1.htm
This website assembles statistics gathered by EU member countries to provide valuable market information on gender, families and households, education, etc.

Market Access Database
http://mkaccdb.eu.int/
Designed for use by EU member state exporters, this site offers valuable information and intelligence for Ontario exporters, with extensive databases and market studies.

EU Trading Partners Database
http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/data.htm
This searchable database provides competitive intelligence for exporters who want to know who is currently selling their product or service to EU buyers.

EU Member Country Statistics Links
http://www.statistik.at/index_englisch.shtml
This site offers direct links to all of the EU member states and their statistical organizations.

I-Centre Database
http://tradeinfo.cec.eu.int/doclib/cfm/doclib_type.cfm?type=9
A searchable database of all key EU trade documents, including press releases, trade statistics, reports, etc.

Market Access Database
http://mkaccdb.eu.int/
Designed for use by EU member country businesses, this website provides a wealth of counter-intelligence for Ontario exporters who want to get a good sense of the local competition.

Public Procurement Opportunities in Europe
U.S. Mission to the European Union
http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/tender_search.html
Use this searchable database to identify opportunities to sell to government clients in the EU.

European Business Directory
http://www.europages.com
More than 550,000 companies are listed in the Europages Directory, where you can find suppliers, buy and sell equipment, and get information on EU procurement opportunities.

EU Customs
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/customs/procedural_aspects/general/
community_code/index_en.htm
A good starting point for EU customs research, this site contains the complete Community Customs Code (CCC) and its implementing provisions.

Customs Controls
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/customs/customs_controls/general/index_en.ht
Covers various EU customs procedures and areas, including risk management, counterfeit and piracy, drugs, custom laboratories, cultural goods, port and airport contact groups and baggage controls.

Taxation Policies
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/common/info_country/eu_15/index_en.htm#
Information papers and studies relating to taxation and VAT for the 15 EU member countries prior to May 2004, with a link to information on the 10 new member countries.

Country Specific Tax Information
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/common/links/tax/index_en.htm
A page of links to country tax websites and international tax related organizations.

Customs Legislation in Force
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/common/legislation/legislation/customs/index_en.htm
A complete list of legal measures in the customs area adopted since 2003.

Binding Tariffs Information
http://europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/dds/en/ebticau.htm
The European Community has created the Binding Tariff Information (BTI) system as a tool to help importers and exporters obtain the correct tariff classification for goods.

VAT Number Validation
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/vies/en/vieshome.htm
An interactive site that lets you verify a VAT number issued by any EU member state with drop-down menus.

Business Travel in the EU: What Do I Need to Know?
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/common/travellers/travel_eu/index_en.htm
This website provides practical information for the business traveler on VAT refunds, tax and duty free sales, baggage controls at airports, allowances on tobacco and alcohol, foodstuffs, etc.

Travel Within the EU
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/common/travellers/within_eu/index_en.htm
This site outlines regulations for purchase of goods for personal use while traveling within the EU.

CE Product Mark
http://webapps.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadexport/view.asp?id=381654&language=E
This website offers information on the CE mark, the general product certification logo that shows that a product meets E.U. health, safety and environmental requirements.

EU Product Standard Information
http://ww.newapproach.org/Directives/DirectiveList.asp
Specific product standards can be purchased from the European organizations identified on this site. ($)

EU Product Standard Information
http://www.ihscanada.ca
A domestic source for purchasing standards, recommended by the Standards Council of Canada. ($)

EU Food Products Export Standards
http://www.inspection.gc.ca
Navigate to "exports" section on this website for current information on food export standards for the EU.

Trade Show Directories
http://tradeshowdirectories.ca/English/index.asp
This directory is a great starting point to research trade shows, with searchable data organized by country, region, and industry.

Western Europe Trade Shows
http://www.ezilon.com
EU portal offers access to a wide variety of information on upcoming trade shows and business in EU countries. Enter "trade shows" in the search engine for an up-to-date list and links to trade shows in the EU.

Trade Show Index
http://www.export.gov/tradeevents.html
This U.S. Government portal maintains a database of trade shows in the EU.

European Media Guide
http://www.eurunion.org/newsweb/news/euromedia.htm
This site lists contact information, circulation and other relevant data for media throughout the EU.

EU NewsWeb
http://www.eurunion.org/newsweb/home.htm
This site contains the latest news releases, speeches and discussion papers pertaining to the EU.

Virtual Trade Commissioner
http://infoexport.gc.ca
A free service for Canadian companies that lets you log in to a "Virtual Trade Commissioner" to view market information and business opportunities.

Industry Canada / SourceCAN
http://www.sourcecan.com
An e-marketplace that matches Canadian products and services with export opportunities. Registration is required. (free)

The CIA World Fact Book
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ee.html#Intro
What is the population of Italy? What does the flag of Ireland look like? The answers to these and thousands of other general questions are easily available from the CIA World Fact Book, the definitive source of country-specific information for more than 50 years. The book began as a summary of U.S. intelligence agency information, and now offers a wealth of information on virtually every country in the world. Available to the public since 1975, the Fact Book is updated continually online and published in paper annually. Recently, the emergence of the EU has prompted the editors to list it as a "country" for research purposes. Each EU member country (including candidate countries) has a separate entry in the fact book.

European Governments Online
http://europa.eu.int/abc/governments/index_en.htm

Europa
This index page has direct links to all of the EU member state governments, candidate countries and several other non-member European countries, such as Switzerland and Norway.


Austria has a well-developed market economy and a high standard of living. Key imports include machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products and foodstuffs.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/au.html
Government Portal:
http://www.austria.gv.at
Foreign Ministry:
http://www.aussenministerium.at
(click on "English" on top banner)

Since bilingual Belgium (French and Dutch) has few natural resources, its economy is highly dependent on commodity prices. Imports include machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment and oil products.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/be.html
Government Portal:
http://www.belgium.be/eportal
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade:
http://www.diplobel.fgov.be

Bulgaria's 7.8 million people hope to have their country join the EU in 2007. Known as the crossroads between Europe and Asia, Bulgaria has rich agricultural land and natural resources, great scenic beauty, and a well educated population.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/bu.html#Econ
Government Portal:
http://www.government.bg/English/
Ministry of Economy:
http://www.mi.government.bg/eng/index.html

One of the most prosperous and industrialized areas of the former Yugoslavia, Croatia has a wide variety of industries that includes chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, and electronics.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/hr.html
Government Portal:
http://www.hr/hrvatska/general.en.shtml

CYPRUS
Note: only the internationally recognized Greek Cypriotcontrolled Republic of Cyprus is a member of the EU. EU laws, however, do not apply to north Cyprus. Major imports include consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, intermediate goods, machinery, and transport equipment.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/cy.html
Government Portal:
http://www.cyprus.gov.cy

Among the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states, the Czech Republic does most of its trade with EU partners. Imports include machinery and transport equipment, intermediate manufactured goods, and raw materials and fuels.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ez.html
Government Portal:
http://www.vlada.cz
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.mzv.cz
Business/Travel:
http://www.czech.cz

Denmark has opted out of portions of the EU's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Imports include machinery and equipment, raw materials and semi-manufactured goods for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, and consumer goods.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/da.html
Government Portal:
http://www.denmark.dk/servlet/page?_pageid=85&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30&_fsiteid=175&_fid=1242
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.um.dk/en
Statistics Office:
http://www.dst.dk/HomeUK.aspx

A new member of both the EU and the World Trade Organisation, Estonia has strong telecommunications and electronics sectors. Major imports include machinery and equipment, chemical products, textiles and foodstuffs.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/en.html
Government Portal:
http://www.riik.ee/en/
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.vm.ee/eng

Finland's highly industrialized economy produces a per capita output comparable to countries such as the UK, France, and Germany. Manufacturing is the key economic sector, especially in the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/fi.html
Government Portal:
http://www.valtioneuvosto.fi/vn/liston/base.lsp?k=en
Foreign Affairs:
http://formin.finland.fi/english/
Virtual Finland:
http://www.virtual.finland.fi
Statistics Office:
http://www.stat.fi/index_en.html

Government influence in the economy is lessening in France, with privatization reducing the extent of government ownership.Major imports include machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, and chemicals.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/fr.html
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.france.diplomatie.fr
Statistics Office:
http://www.insee.fr

With Europe's largest economy and population, Germany is a world leader in many industries, including iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, and electronics.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gm.html
Government Portal:
http://www.deutschland.de/home.php?lang=2
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/www/en/index_html
Statistics Office:
http://www.destatis.de/e_home.htm
Goethe Institute:
http://www.goethe.de/enindex.htm

Greece joined the European Community in 1981. The country's public sector accounts for about 40 per cent of GDP, and tourism contributes about 15 per cent. Strong import sectors include machinery, transport equipment, fuels, and chemicals.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gr.html
Government Portal:
http://www.primeminister.gr/gr/lang/en/government.asp
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.mfa.gr/english/
Statistics Office:
http://www.statistics.gr/Main_eng.asp

A recent (2004) member of the EU, Hungary has transformed its economy, and now boasts a private sector that accounts for over 80 per cent of GDP. Germany is the country's largest trading partner, and foreign investment is significant.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/hu.html
Government Portal:
http://www.magyarorszag.hu/angol
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.mfa.gov.hu/Kulugyminiszterium/en

Industry and services are now the dominant forces in the Irish economy, surpassing agriculture. Key industries include food products, brewing, textiles, clothing, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ei.html
Government Portal:
http://www.irlgov.ie
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie
Statistics Office:
http://www.cso.ie

Italy's diversified economy produces about the same per capital output as those of France and the UK. Major industries include tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food and textiles.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/it.html
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.esteri.it/eng/index.asp?
Statistics Office:
http://www.istat.it/English/index.htm

Major industries in Latvia (population of 2.3 million) include buses and railroad cars, synthetic fibres, agricultural machinery, and pharmaceuticals.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/lg.html
Government Portal:
http://www.am.gov.lv/en/

Lithuania continues to move its trade emphasis toward the west and away from Russia. Industries include metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, appliances and electronic components.
CIA World Factbook:
ghttp://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/lh.html
Government Portal:
http://www.lrv.lt/main_en.php
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.urm.lt/full_e.php

One of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community in 1957, Luxembourg enjoys a very high standard of living. Key industries include banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, and metal products.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/lu.html
Government Portal:
http://www.gouvernement.lu
(available in French, not available in English)
Statistics Office:
http://www.statistiques.public.lu/fr/
(available in French only)

A former British colony, the Republic of Malta joined the EU in 2004. With limited resources, Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, electronics and textile manufacturing and tourism.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/mt.html
Government Portal:
http://www.gov.mt/index.asp?l=2
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.foreign.gov.mt

A founding member of the EEC, The Netherlands has a population of 16.3 million and a prosperous economy that is highly dependent on foreign trade. Major industrial sectors include food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/nl.html
Government Portal:
http://www.government.nl/index.jsp
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.minbuza.nl/default.asp?CMS_ITEM=12E5DC3F5E024ADFB2AA6B315606A627X2X31365X4
Statistics Office:
http://www.cbs.nl/en/

Poland is often cited as the success story of the eastern European transition economies. Key industries include machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages and textiles.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/pl.html
Government Site:
http://www.kprm.gov.pl/english/index.html
Government Portal:
http://www.poland.gv.pl
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.msz.gov.pl/start.php?page=1000000001&PHPSESSID=8a9e823911b9d9c16f892d8c209c944b

Portugal's economy has continued to diversify since the country joined the EC in 1986. Along with a strong services sector, key industries include textiles and footwear, wood pulp, paper, and cork, metalworking and tourism.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/po.html
Government Portal:
http://www.portugal.gov.pt/Portal/EN/

Close to half of Romania's 22.5 million people live in poverty, and the country is striving to improve its economic performance as part of the process of joining the EU in 2007. Major industries include textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, and timber.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ro.html
Government Portal:
http://www.gov.ro/engleza/index.php
Ministry of European Integration:
http://www.mie.ro

Another country that has made a smooth transition from a centrally-planned economy to free markets, Slovakia has a population of 5.4 million. Industries include metal and metal products, food and beverages, electricity, gas, coke, oil, and nuclear fuel, and textiles.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/lo.html
Government Portal:
http://www.government.gov.sk
(not available in English)
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.foreign.gov.sk/En/index.html

Slovenia's two million citizens enjoy a GDP per capita that is higher than most other transition economies in Europe. Major industries include ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics and textiles.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/si.html
Government Portal:
http://www.sigov.si
State Portal:
http://e-uprava.gov.si/e-uprava/en/portal.euprava
Statistics Office:
http://www.stat.si/eng/index.asp

Spain's 40 million people joined the EU in 1986. Major industrial sectors include textiles, apparel, footwear, food and beverages, shipbuilding, automobiles, and machine tools.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sp.html
Government Portal:
http://www.la-moncloa.es/

Sweden joined the EU in 1995, and voters there rejected the country's adoption of the euro in a 1999 vote. Key industries in Sweden's export-based economy include iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, and motor vehicles.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sw.html
Government Portal:
http://www.sweden.se/
Government Site:
http://www.sweden.gov.se/
Foreign Affairs:
http://www.sweden.gov.se/
Statistics Office:
http://www.scb.se/default____2154.asp

Turkey's 69 million people work in a dynamic economy that is focused on both modern industry and a large agricultural sector that accounts for a large proportion of employment. Major imports include machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, and transport equipment.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/tu.html
Government Site:
http://www.turkishembassy.org/start.html

Services in the banking, insurance and business sectors dominate the UK's huge economy. Major industries include machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, and electronics and communications equipment.
CIA World Factbook:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/uk.html
Government Portal:
http://www.direct.gov.uk
Prime Minister's Office:
http://www.number-10.gov.uk
Statistics Office:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/

For those who are new to exporting, the following websites offer a wealth of information on everything from trade jargon to how to make an effective sales presentation in foreign markets.

European Commission
Trade Jargon Glossary
http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/gentools/glossary_en.htm
This 'off the record' glossary deciphers the acronyms and abbreviations of trade jargon and provides definitions of everything from SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary regulations) to EBA (Everything But Arms, an EU policy to enhance market access for developing countries).

Bilateral Trade Relations
http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/canada/index_en.htm
This site keeps you informed on the latest trade issues and relations between Canada and the EU.

Expanding Exports Helpdesk
http://export-help.cec.eu.int/riffs
An online resource designed to assist developing countries exporting to the EU, the Helpdesk contains a wealth of general resources useful to any exporter.

Ontario Exports Inc.
Getting Ready To Export Guide
http://www.ontarioexportsinc.com
(under Preparing to Export, Getting Ready to Export)
A guide to help SMEs analyze some of the key issues, along with a list export-related resources and sample export forms.

Business of Exporting
http://www.ontarioexportsinc.com
(under Preparing to Export, Trade Tools)
A brief overview of the key regulations affecting exporting in general.

Export FAQs
http://www.ontarioexportsinc.com
Follow Export Extras link to Export FAQ which offers the short answers to basic export questions on export readiness, locating suppliers, finding trade information, etc.

Government of Canada
Export Diagnostic
http://www.exportdiagnostic.ca
An online tool to evaluate your export readiness and provide feedback on areas for improvement, the diagnostic takes 30 - 60 minutes to complete and allows you to evaluate custom scenarios for export planning.

Speaking Globally: An Exporter's Guide to Effective Presentations
http://exportsource.ca/gol/exportsource/site.nsf/en/es01968.html
A step-by-step program to help you create effective presentationsthat recognize the challenges of international markets, from research to delivery.

ExportSource
http://exportsource.ca
A good starting point for any Canadian exporter or potential exporter, this site has a wide range of information and links covering everything from getting started to export financing. Relevant EU-related resources are listed separately in this guide.

ISBN 0-7794-7303-5
Ontario Exports Inc.
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
56 Wellesley Street West
7th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2E4

Toll-free: 1-877-468-7233
Telephone: 416-314-8200
Fax: 416-314-8222
Email: