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   Need more information NOW?   Call Tony Baker at +1.416.500.7287
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EUROPE: a mature market of half a billion people

From its beginning as a treaty between six founding countries soon after the second world war, the European Union has grown to a total of 27 countries, integrated as a single economic space. With a population of half a billion people, it is the third most populous market after China and India, and has a gross domestic product of almost $18 trillion. Throughout its history, smaller and poorer countries have joined and become wealthier as their prosperity has risen to the level of existing members and sometimes beyond.

While the wealthy markets of western European countries are a ready-made market for many products and services, the rapidly-growing newer markets of the east offer an excellent opportunity for businesses looking for future growth and manufacturing opportunities.

With partners strategically around Europe, we can provide you with practical assistance on the ground in entering the wealthy European market.

We carried out the following project for a Canadian software company who were planning to enter the European market:

First, we researched their market. Then we advised on appropriate marketing strategies; researched locations for their European headquarters; met with European value-added re-sellers; worked with the client and resellers to establish an office in the Netherlands; and helped them exhibit in trade shows in the UK and Europe.

The following was a project for a Canadian manufacturer of food processing equipment who were also planning to enter the European market:

In this case, we first advised them on market entry strategies, availability of government assistance and on the regulations for product assessment. Then, with our European partners, we arranged for laboratory testing and approval of the products for European CE safety mark.


 

    

Flag of the European Union
The flag of the European Union
"United in Diversity"

THE EURO: In the years following its launch in 2002 the euro gained in strength so that it is now worth more than $1.30 in American and Canadian dollars, in spite of the present challenges. It has also risen significantly against most other world currencies.

For North American exporters, Europe is now a very attractive market for products previously targeted at the wealthy middle class consumers of the United States and Canada. This applies in both product and service sectors.

THE EUROZONE: The Eurozone consists of countries which use the euro as their own currency. There are now 17 EU member countries in the Eurozone. These are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

In addition to this, a further six small, non-EU countries use the euro.

Contrary to popular misconception, the European Union contains a further 11 countries which do not use the euro, but follow all the other laws and regulations of the EU, including the common customs tariff, other Single Market requirements, CE Marking, the REACH program, and all have members in the European Parliament.

THE EU NOW HAS 27 MEMBER COUNTRIES: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

THE FOUR COUNTRIES OF THE EUROPEAN FREE TRADE AREA (EFTA) ARE: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

THE EUROPEAN ECOMOMIC AREA (EEA): Apart from Switzerland, the members of EFTA and the EU have combined together to form a free trade area called the European Economic Area. Although not legally a member, Switzerland follows most of the rules applying to EEA and EU member countries.

For practical help anywhere in the European market please:
call +1 416 500 7287
or call toll-free (in Canada & USA):
1.855.222.6299 (MAWW)
or CLICK HERE