Montréal, Quebec, April 4, 2007 The Honourable
Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of
Canada Economic Development, today announced the awarding of $103,860
in non-repayable funding to the Conseil des industries bioalimentaires de
l'île de Montréal (CIBIM) to support its mentoring program for
small and medium-sized start-ups and growth firms in the biofood sector.
The key objectives of this mentoring program are to build knowledge and
know-how, forge links with the business community, promote the industry, ensure
the survival and growth of SMEs in the sector and foster job creation and
expansion projects.
"Transferring knowledge to young and new entrepreneurs can only help bolster
the economic growth of SMEs and make Quebec more competitive. Canada's new
government is proud to support a program that, like this one, promotes the
development in Montréal of a niche of excellence in the biofood sector. This
initiative by Canada Economic Development furthers our strategic goal
of helping enterprises become more competitive by, among other things,
introducing innovative products to the market," stated
Minister Blackburn.
"This funding from Canada Economic Development will enable us to
continue guiding and supporting enterprises and entrepreneurs in the sector in
their efforts to identify and develop cost-effective business opportunities. The
mentoring we offer is a structured approach aimed at improving the survival rate
of new enterprises and facilitating their growth and expansion," explained CIBIM
General Director Annick Van Campenhout.
The biofood industry is the main source of employment on the
Island of Montréal, providing jobs to some 123,000 people.
Employment figures from 2005 indicate the sector accounts for 27.6% of jobs
province-wide.
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Sources:
Nathalie JutrasCommunicationsCanada Economic DevelopmentTel.:
514-283-2800E-mail: nathalie.jutras@dec-ced.gc.ca
Roxane MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jean-Pierre
BlackburnCanada Economic Development Tel.: 819-953-5646Cell.:
613-816-5094E-mail: roxane.marchand@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
