News

Cowater is proud to announce that, in collaboration with our consortium partner the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC), we have commenced the inception phase of Global Affairs Canada’s Expert Deployment Mechanism for Trade and Development (EDM).

The CAD 16.5 million, seven-year EDM project designed and financed by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) will be delivered by Cowater’s consortium following our selection by GAC as EDM’s implementing organization. EDM will offer technical assistance to support the negotiation and implementation of free trade agreements (FTAs) and foreign investment protection agreements (FIPAs) between Canada and its developing and emerging market trading partners eligible to receive official development assistance (ODA). Through the deployment of highly specialized expertise, EDM’s aim is to enhance the ability of such countries to negotiate, conclude and implement FTAs and FIPAs with Canada while expanding women’s access to the benefits of trade and development, reducing poverty, and fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth. In this light, EDM will support the implementation of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy while also conforming to Canada’s Official Development Assistance Accountability Act.

ODA-eligible countries will be able to request technical assistance through EDM’s website, which will be launched in 2019. Requests will be received and assessed on an ongoing basis by the EDM team in close coordination with Global Affairs Canada.