Saint-Georges, Quebec, May 22, 2008 – The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, joined by the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today unveiled the fourth component of the Canada Economic Development Strategic Plan for 2008-2011. With a budget of $27 million over three years, this latest component will help support Quebec's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their efforts to increase exports, thereby generating an estimated $108 million in investments in the Quebec economy through financial leverage.
"I recently announced the Major Economic and Tourism Facilities and Productivity Support and Innovation Support components of the Canada Economic Development Strategic Plan for 2008-2011. Today, we are adding a new tool, Export Support, which will allow us to help SMEs pursue their growth while continuing to build on the competitiveness of these firms across the regions of Quebec," stated Minister Blackburn.
The Minister took the opportunity to once again underscore the valuable input of the 14 advisory committees established at his initiative in fall 2006 to formulate a series of economic recommendations. "The advice they have given us reflects the realities and concerns of regional stakeholders, which has in turn allowed us to be better tuned in to the regions and to business," he explained.
This newest component will enable Canada Economic Development to help SMEs in all regions of Quebec increase their exports to international markets, particularly to the United States. Coaching and guidance services for new market commercialization, participation in trade missions and the adoption of customer relations management software are among the activities that will be eligible for potential funding under this component.
"In developing this Export Support component, we maintained our focus on the need to offer SMEs effective support that meets their needs and promotes their adjustment to the particularly high demands of the global economy," Minister Blackburn added.
"In Quebec, the manufacturing sector alone accounts for 90% of our international exports of goods. A large number of these export firms are based right here in the Beauce. I applaud this latest initiative of Canada Economic Development which, along with the other measures introduced in its 2008-2011 Strategic Plan, will help transform our regions into first-rate partners," concluded Minister Bernier.
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Sources:
Guylaine Beaudoin
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-648-4679
Cell.: 418-580-8215
E-mail: guylaine.beaudoin@dec-ced.gc.ca
Sylvain Frenette
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: sylvain.frenette@dec-ced.gc.ca
