Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Montreal, Quebec, November 17, 2004 -- The Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, today announced a non-repayable contribution of $200,000 to Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) for the Innovation & Exports 2004 conference and trade show. Mr. Saada was also guest speaker at the Innovation & Exports 2004 opening ceremony and took the opportunity to discuss before CME members the issues and challenges for enterprises seeking to expand their markets, give them an overview of Canada's position in the international trade market and, lastly, outline the Government of Canada's trade policy. 'More open markets mean more international competition for all players. Improving the competitiveness of Canadian enterprises is a critical issue for Canada. Innovation and greater productivity are vital to the competitive success of our businesses and, consequently, to their survival and development. That is why Canada Economic Development has made innovation one of its priorities,' said Jacques Saada. Throughout the day, members of Team Canada will be on hand at the Canada Pavilion to promote the resources made available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by the Government of Canada. They will include the Canadian Technology Network, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Border Services Agency, Info entreprises, Canada Economic Development and Natural Resources Canada. Innovation & Exports 2004 will culminate with the 6th Canadian Innovation Awards gala dinner. During the awards ceremony, Canada Economic Development Canada will present the award for Innovative Quebec Business of the Year, which recognizes innovative excellence by an SME over the past year and, in conjunction with CME, the award for Innovative Canadian Business of the Year. 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: Marie-Claude CadoretteCommunicationsCanada Economic Development(514) 283-6226Daniel DezaindePress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jacques Saada(514) 496-1282
