Profile: Peter Kucherepa

Cutting red tape opens doors for exporters

Peter Kucherepa won’t mind just his own business. In fact, he’s taken on the business of a whole province—Saskatchewan.

As a trade commissioner for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) in Saskatchewan, Peter is one of the people that companies in the province can go to for help in marketing their products abroad. Peter can grease the wheels of business, facilitate contacts and help them navigate the unfamiliar global marketplace.

“My main function is to make trade easier and more accessible,” says Peter. “I assist export-ready Saskatchewan companies in my sectors of responsibility, mainly farm equipment manufacturing, information and communications technology industries and transportation industries.”

Exporting farm equipment

“Half of all Canadian farm equipment exports are sourced from Saskatchewan,” he says. “In perspective, my work in this sector alone directly affects three percent of all provincial residents.”

And Peter doesn’t charge anything at all for his services. “I help people in need at no direct cost to them,” he says.

“The general public is very knowledgeable about the role that DFAIT plays internationally but much less so nationally,” says Peter. He points out, for instance, that few Canadians realize the role that the department plays in helping Canadian businesses sell their products abroad.

We depend on exports

One thing that almost any Canadian does know is how dependent we are on exports. Whether it’s raw materials or finished goods, we sell it to the world in a big way every day of the year.

“Canada is an export-reliant country,” says Peter. “Canada exported $450 billion in goods in 2007. Exporting is not merely an option to increase revenues; it is a necessity for enterprises to ensure competitiveness and innovation.”

Legal knowledge

Peter studied law at university and was called to the bar in 2006. His legal knowledge has provided a wonderful background for his Public Service work.

“I find that I can use my legal education in proper analysis, my business education in proper execution and my international experience in proper understanding.”

Like many who work in the Public Service, Peter chose his career because he felt a sense of duty to Canadians.

“What drives me are ‘good news’ stories of Canadian companies innovating, competing and succeeding internationally,” he says. “The tangible results of economic prosperity due to international trade are thrilling.”

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