Project to foster networking with large corporations by region's SMEs Quebec, Quebec, September 16, 2004 -- Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, Claude Drouin, Member of Parliament for Beauce and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister with special emphasis on Rural Communities, today announced the award by the Government of Canada of a $399,340 non-repayable contribution to Plate-forme création multimédia, a networking referral and specialized services centre for the region's IT and multimedia enterprises. 'Plate-forme création multimédia's activities are aimed at fostering partnerships with large corporations by SMEs in targeted sectors in order to benefit from their networks and high profile.' stated Mr. Drouin. 'Among other things, this will enable these small enterprises to enhance the effectiveness of their approaches on international markets.' 'Canada Economic Development's contribution is in line with the objectives of the Quebec City office's Regional Strategic Initiative (RSI), which aims to ensure the technological development of the Quebec City¿Chaudière-Appalaches region,' Minister Saada pointed out. 'The region's economy is undergoing profound changes. To restructure and diversify its economic base, the region has to build on its sectors of excellence so as to contend with market globalization. This project is an example of technological entrepreneurship which translates a clear desire for diversification in order to access an export-oriented, high technology economy.' Canada Economic Development's mandate is to promote the economic development of the regions of Quebec. Primarily through financial assistance programs, the Agency elicits and supports the implementation of economic development projects. The two priorities the Agency has set itself are to foster innovation and the knowledge economy in each region of Quebec, and to help communities that are having difficulty adjusting to the new economy. In this way, the Agency contributes to the attainment of the Government of Canada's objective of building the 21st Century economy. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget. - 30 - Sources: Michel RochonCommunicationsCanada Economic Development(418) 648-4679Jean-François Del TorchioPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jacques Saada(514) 496-1282
