Immigrant women entrepreneurs will once again showcase their talents at the increasingly popular International Food and Craft Fair (IFCF).
The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency y (ACOA), is contributing $12,000 to the Multicultural Women's Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador (MWONL) to organize the event and to hold pre-fair business skills development workshops for the vendors. The IFCF will be held on Sunday, March 30, at the Holiday Inn in St. John's.
The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of ACO A.
"The popularity of this event has grown tremendously over the years, and that is a testament to the hard work, dedication and creativity these women have put into developing and selling their products," said Minister Hearn. "The Government of Canada is thrilled to provide support for the Multicultural Women's Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador, as it helps to promote entrepreneurship among immigrant women in the province."
Prior to the IFCF, organizers held two business skills development workshops for the participating vendors which focused on operating home-based businesses in the food sector, and marketing small home-based businesses.
The IF CF, held since 1997, commemorates International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination and International Women's Day, and also encourages entrepreneurship among multicultural women in Newfoundland and Labrador. During the event women sell pr oducts representative of their home countries.
"Along with offering a holistic approach to enhance the feeling of welcoming and providing a venue for the people of Newfoundland to come together and celebrate their diverse cu ltures, the IFCF initiative also serves as an entrepreneurial training ground for immigrant women," said Ayesha Fiech, IFCF Coordinator.
Financial assistance for this project is provided by ACOA through its Women in Business Initiative which offers business counseling and outreach activities to women entrepreneurs throughout the province.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Regional Mi nister for Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced $12,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency for the Multicultural Women's Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The funding will be used to market the Inter national Food and Craft Fair, being held Sunday, March 30 at the Holiday Inn in St. John's. The annual fair promotes entrepreneurship among immigrant women in Newfoundland and Labrador who sell products representative of their home countries. The funding is also being used to provide two pre-fair workshops in business development skills for the women entrepreneurs.
ACOA funding is provided through its Women in Business Initiative which offers business counseling and out reach activities to women entrepreneurs throughout the province.
INFORMATION:
Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
709-772-2935
Ayesha Fiech
Media Contact
Multicultural Women's Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-738-4413
