The Ottawa region has three basic types of businesses: export companies serving markets all around the world; regionally focused companies serving Ottawa residents and businesses; and our rural economy.

Ottawa is a global technology and business centre as well as a world class tourism and convention destination. More than 1500 companies are involved in key growth sectors such as telecommunications, software, photonics, semiconductors, defence and security, life sciences, tourism, wireless technologies, film and video, multimedia, professional services and contact centres. The region also benefits from the entry of new seed industry sectors such as biophotonics, environmental technologies, electronic pay systems, and micro electromechanical systems (MEMS).

Ottawa is home to dozens of federal government organizations, as well as scores of foreign embassies who provide trade links to their own domestic businesses. On the regional front, Ottawa benefits from a rich array of retail, hospitality and service companies. Ottawa is also the agricultural capital and economic centre of Eastern Ontario.

Find out more about how you can do business in Ottawa through the following links:

• Key competitive sectors
• R&D in Ottawa
• Investment opportunities
• Doing business with the Government of Canada
• International trade
• Meetings and conventions
• Ottawa commercial/business districts and real estate
• Key organizations and business infrastructure
• Business permits and information
• Ottawa’s workforce

Contact us

To learn more about doing business in Ottawa, visit the “Contact us” page on this site.