Key Economic Indicators

• Population 3rd quarter 2004: 31,946,316
• Unemployment rate Nov 2004:7.3 %
• Inflation rate Oct 2004: 2.3 %
• GDP 2003 (in millions of 1997 dollars): 1,015,969
• Primary Industries (fishing, mining, energy, logging, forestry): 5% GDP
• Manufacturing and construction: 22% GDP
• Information and communication technologies: 5% GDP
• Financial, business and personal services: 68% GDP.
• Exports 3rd quarter 2004, -0.5 %
• Imports 3rd quarter 2004, +3.1 %
• Prime interest rate Nov 2004: 4.25 %
• S&P/TSX Composite Index Oct 2004 (1975=1000): 8,870.97
• Federal debt 2004 - $ millions: 501,493
• Last modified: 2004-12-03
• Currency: Canadian Dollar. XE.com Currency Converter.

Why Do Business in Canada?

• due to the North American Free Trade Agreement, you will have access to the whole North American market
• according to this study Canada has the lowest cost of doing business of the 11 European, North American and Asia-Pacific countries studied.
• generous Research and Development Grant Program
• many other incentive programs
• high quality of life (4th in world in the UN Human Development Index. 1st among the G-7)
• world class technology infrastructure - according to World Competitiveness Yearbook, 2004, Canada ranks 4th in world for technology infrastructure
• wealthy consumer population in Canada
• Canadians like to "shop Canadian"
• secure system of government
• highly educated work force - according to 2001 census figures, Canada has highest education rate of OECD countries
• low mortgage rates and affordable commercial and industrial real estate