For Release
October 27, 2006
Vancouver, British Columbia – Canada’s New Government
is investing $1.52 million toward three projects that will strengthen Canada’s
trade ties with Asia, provide useful information to exporters and support entrepreneurs.
These projects complement the federal government’s $591 million Asia Pacific
Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) announced earlier this month.
Today’s announcement was made at the 2006 Asia Pacific Summit by the
Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the
Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics on behalf of the Honourable
Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic
Diversification.
"Canada's New Government is proud to provide $1.52 million for programs
that will encourage business and stakeholders to get involved and look at opportunities
in the Asia-Pacific markets," said Minister Emerson.
"Canada's new government believes that the time to start building strong
relations with Asia is now."
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada received $220,265 for the Towards
an Asia Pacific Gateway Strategy project to engage key stakeholders across
Canada, build awareness of Asia Pacific business opportunities and further explore
how Canadians can benefit from improved trade corridors.
“With Western Economic Diversification Canada’s support and in
cooperation with other federal departments, APF Canada is consulting with business,
academic, cultural and civil society groups in a series of seven convenings
across the country,” said Foundation Co-CEO Dr. Paul Evans. “The
convenings are looking beyond the immediate issues of transportation infrastructure
to explore how gateways and corridors can add value to the relationship between
Canada and Asia. This includes focusing on human resources, innovation in research
and exchanges, commercial innovation and cultural and design issues."
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. received $938,516 to extend its Gateway to Asia (GTA) export
program beyond B.C. into Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In addition, the
organization will receive $356,410 to continue its Business Links for New Immigrants
program.
“In partnership with Western Economic Diversification Canada, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
has assisted over 100 Canadian companies and agencies in reaching out to markets
in Asia,” said Thomas Tam, Program Director for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business
& Economic Development. “These projects are an effective platform
for entrepreneur immigrants to network with local manufacturers as well as the
business community at large.”
For additional information, contact:
Bernée Bolton
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia
Tel: (604) 666-1324
C: (604) 506-6616
Mike Winterburn
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
Tel: (613) 995-2960
Maggie Nevin
Communications Director
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Tel: (604) 630-1529
C: (604) 704-6183
Web site: www.asiapacific.ca
Thomas F.C. Tam
Program Director
S.U.C.C.E.S.S Business Development and Training
Tel: (604) 639-5588
C: (604) 808-6812
Web site: www.success.bc.ca
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at
www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Backgrounder
Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department mandated
to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is a not-for-profit organization that has been devoted for over
30 years to providing a diverse range of services to facilitate the effective
settlement and integration of new immigrants into the Lower Mainland.
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is the country’s leading independent
resource on Asia and Canada-Asia relations. As a national non-profit organization
established by an Act of the Federal Parliament in 1984, the Foundation brings
together people and knowledge to provide research, analysis and information
on Asia and Canada's transpacific relations. The Foundation is funded through
an endowment from the Government of Canada and a grant from the Province of
British Columbia.
Announcement:
The Government of Canada through WD is investing $1.52 million in the
following projects to strengthen Canada’s commercial ties with Asia:
Towards an Asia Pacific Gateway Strategy Project -$220,265
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada will engage stakeholders across Canada
in research and awareness building regarding economic opportunities in the Asia-Pacific
region. This research will provide important input to the federal government’s
Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.
Components include: seven stakeholder forums in key cities across Canada; three
targeted research/policy papers into specific areas of opportunity; public communications
activities (e.g. website and public polling); and support for the 2006 Asia
Pacific Summit conference. This project is also in partnership with the Province
of B.C.; the provincial governments of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec;
the Canada West Foundation; the Halifax Port Authority; the Montreal Chamber
of Commerce; the Regina Regional Economic Development Authority and the Canadian
Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
Gateway to Asia Program - $938,516
The United Chinese Cultural Enrichment Services Society (S.U.C.C.E.S.S.) is
extending its Gateway to Asia (GTA) export program beyond B.C. into Alberta,
Saskatchewan and Manitoba. This project will build on GTA’s existing programming
to deliver Asian market workshops, business matching for export and inward investment,
affordable market awareness trade missions to China and information mechanisms.
GTA was established in 2001 to link western Canadian suppliers interested in
exporting to Asia with recent Asian immigrants who facilitate new business relationships
and contracts with buyers and investors in their former homeland. The B.C. Ministry
of Economic Development also supports this project.
Business Links for New Immigrants Program - $356,410
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. will continue its Business Links for New Immigrants program,
a business services support program to new immigrant entrepreneurs that provides
business start-up information and training. Services include business planning,
marketing, accounting, development of business plans and access to financing
through partnerships with Coast Capital Savings Credit Union and Van City Savings
Credit Union.
The Business Links pilot program was launched in 2004 to address the gap between
business services for new immigrant entrepreneurs and their inability to access
financing. This project is also supported by Coast Capital Savings.
