December 3, 2004 Halifax, Nova Scotia Michael Savage, MP, Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, today announced over $603,000 in investments in ACOA's Women in Business Initiative (WBI) for year 2 and 3 of the Initiative. "Canadian women entrepreneurs contribute more than $18 billion to the Canadian economy each year and their numbers continue to increase, which means that their is quite phenomenal," said Mr.Savage, "The Women in Business Initiative supports this trend across the Atlantic region. It provides business management training, mentoring and access to capital and international markets." This investment will support the Business Counselling and Community Outreach Program of the WBI, which is delivered in Nova Scotia by the Centre for Women in Business at Mount Saint Vincent University and by five regional business facilitators. "The purpose of the WBI is to recognize the impact and contributions of women entrepreneurs to the economy and create an environment that fosters business development and growth. To date the Initiative has been successful in doing that," said Gerry Martin, Executive Director, Centre for Women in Business. Funding for the WBI is provided under the Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Development component of ACOA's five- year, $700 million Atlantic Investment Partnership (AIP). For Broadcast use: The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is continuing its funding for the Women in Business Initiative. Dartmouth-Cole Harbour MP, Michael Savage, today announced over $600,000 for years 2 and 3 of the Initiative. The WBI supports women entrepreneurs through business management training, mentoring and access to capital. It is implemented through the Center for Women in Business at Mount Saint Vincent University. - 30 - For more information, please contact: Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941-7241 David Harrigan Media Relations Officer ACOA (Nova Scotia) (902) 426-4238 Gerry Martin Executive Director Centre for Women in Business, Mount Saint Vincent University (902) 457-6271
