Coproductions are a key component of Canadian film and television production. They are a favoured method of penetrating new markets and facilitating project financing. Canadians are very active in the coproduction area. They promote quality and demonstrate remarkable energy and understanding of markets, making them valued, sought-after partners. Telefilm administers coproduction agreements on the Canadian government's behalf. The official coproduction agreements enable Canadian producers and their foreign counterparts to pool their creative, artistic, technical and financial resources to co-produce films and television programs that enjoy the status of national productions in each of the countries concerned. At present, Canadian producers may create joint works with their counterparts in more than 50 countries. The volume of Canadian production activity is close to an average of $535 million a year, for the past three years.