Frequently Asked Questions

The Canadian Trade and Investment Facility for Development (CTIF) is a seven-year, CDN $11.6 million demand-driven program aligned with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) to support trade and investment-related policy reforms that promote women’s empowerment and inclusive growth and have a high potential to reduce poverty in ODA-eligible developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. CTIF provides technical assistance based on the needs identified by potential beneficiaries and according to an assessment process jointly administered by the CTIF team and Global Affairs Canada (GAC).Technical assistance is provided by independent consultants that specialize in the specific services being requested by the beneficiary. Cowater and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada jointly implement CTIF on behalf of the Government of Canada.

Technical assistance implemented under CTIF will contribute to women’s empowerment and poverty reduction through policy reforms that lead to the creation of more and better jobs for more people in underdeveloped sectors of the economy to the overall benefit of all in society. The expected ultimate outcome of the project is improved contribution of trade and investment to inclusive and sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

CTIF can provide assistance to the national government entities, trade and industry associations, or civil society organisations based in one of the following Asia-Pacific countries: Cambodia, India, Lao PDR, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, or Vanuatu. Applications can include programming in more than one country listed here.

CTIF can provide assistance to the regional multilateral organizations based in any ODA-eligible Asia-Pacific country. Please see the most recent ODA-eligibility list

National government entities, trade and industry associations, or civil society* organisations based in one of the following Asia-Pacific countries: Cambodia, India, Lao PDR, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, or Vanuatu.

Regional multilateral organizations based in any ODA-eligible Asia-Pacific country.

*Civil society organizations include, but are not limited to, business development services providers, industry associations, cooperatives and chambers of commerce, research and development, and academic institutions.

International organizations, including UN affiliated organizations and multilateral development banks, are not eligible.

Applicants who have not previously received CTIF technical assistance support.

A typical CTIF-approved application contains technical assistance requests valued in the CDN$ 75,000-125,000 range, to be implemented over 3-6 months. CTIF can also provide technical assistance of both smaller or larger size and scope. Please consult with the CTIF team about your technical assistance needs before submitting your Expression of Interest. They can assist you in tailoring your needs to both CTIF requirements and to the budget available for technical assistance during each programming year.

Yes. Program interventions will be made at the regional, country (national and local governments), civil society organization, and private sector levels to achieve the following immediate results at the end of the project:

• Regional institution. Interventions targeted at regional institutions (e.g., APEC, ASEAN, SAARC, PIF) that support improved skills, knowledge and tools to support inclusive and sustainable growth; competitiveness; and/or economic integration.
• National institutions/organization. Interventions that support the increased ability of national and local governments to plan, develop and implement inclusive (especially gender-inclusive) policies, legislation, and regulations supporting increased market access for businesses, funding for quality infrastructure and/or access to finance.
• Civil society. Interventions that support the increased capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) and private sector organizations (PSOs) to engage with government institutions on trade issues, investment issues, and/or quality infrastructure issues.
• Firm. Intervention to support firms in taking advantage of new opportunities from business growth, women’s (including economic) empowerment, in accessing markets and finance, and from responsible business conduct.

Initiatives for which CTIF can provide technical assistance include, but are not limited to: advisory support, trainings, study tours, policy research, stakeholder engagement, institutional development. CTIF does not provide grants or direct financial support to organisations. CTIF does not finance the purchasing of goods, capital equipment, construction costs or other non-service-related technical assistance.

CTIF provides technical assistance through contracting independent suppliers to deliver activities contained in the implementation plan of approved applications. CTIF can also cover expenses for individuals to participate in conferences, study tours, and other activities approved through the application process.

The application form and assessment criteria are annexed to the guidelines and can also be found on the CTIF website. The application form is also available from the CTIF team directly or from a Global Affairs Canada representative in Canada’s missions in the Asia-Pacific region.

CTIF is not accepting applications until further notice, please inform us if you would like to be notified about this change. Fill out the Expression of Interest form and submit it to CTIF via e-mail (info@c-tif.ca) or apply online.

To start your application process, visit the Applications page.

Potential applicants can contact the CTIF team through our contact form or can contact Jakarta Regional office directly. Canadian missions in the Asia Pacific region can also be contacted for details about the Facility.

In our Jakarta office, please contact:
Mr. Hendry Predy
Project Manager
CTIF Regional Office
World Trade Centre, 10th Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav 29-31
Jakarta 12920, Indonesia
Phone +62 21-526-2282
Mobile +62 87-878-733-038
Email info@c-tif.ca