Shawinigan, Quebec, February 20, 2008 − Business Contact, a day-long information event intended for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and stakeholders from the Mauricie region, was held this past February 19th at Espace Shawinigan. Co-organized by Canada Economic Development and its regional partner, the SADC Centre-de-la-Mauricie the Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) serving the area, this event was a success, drawing some 326 participants from across the region.
The aim of Business Contact is to give SMEs access to an array of activities designed to help them in their entrepreneurial undertakings. It gives participants the opportunity to talk with expert consultants from various federal departments and agencies, the private sector, universities and regional development agencies with a view to finding solutions to the challenges facing businesses. Acting as a lever in promoting SME development and regional positioning, this planning event also allows participants to forge new business contacts.
"Business Contact truly showcased the know-how, ingenuity and excellence of the Mauricie's SMEs and stakeholders," noted the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, who delivered the opening address. "This event served to confirm the unrivalled determination of Mauricie entrepreneurs and development experts to rise to the challenges of the day. It is important for the government, and for me personally, to support them in their efforts and thereby enhance the quality of life of our citizens. I am convinced that Business Contact brings us closer to that goal by serving as a window to the programs and services we offer in the region," he added.
Throughout the course of the day, participants were given the opportunity to take part in networking activities and a business forum, during which some 20 entrepreneurs stressed the importance of making SMEs more competitive, diversifying the economy and capitalizing on the region's dynamism. Conferences were also held on such current topics as entrepreneurial issues, human resource mobilization, economic diversification and business opportunities for the region's SMEs. Drawing on their varied backgrounds, the guest speakers included small business owners, university chair holders, as well as association and consortium representatives, thereby meeting needs as diverse as the region's entrepreneurs themselves.
-30-
Sources:
Nathalie Jutras
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-283-2800
E-mail: nathalie.jutras@dec-ced.gc.ca
Jean-Philippe Payment
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-953-5646
E-mail: jeanphilippe.payment@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca
