Duhamel, Quebec, June 20, 2008 – The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, today announced $660,000 in non-repayable funding to the Abitibi-Témiscamingue export promotion bureau, 48e Nord International, to continue providing support to the region's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) until 2011.
More specifically, this contribution will be used to help fund the activities of 48e Nord International and enable the organization to carry out international missions and promotional projects aimed at raising the profile of the region's products and potential on foreign markets.
"The Government of Canada is constantly striving to find the most effective means to meet the needs of SMEs and help them adjust to the stricter demands of the global economy. It is to that end that I recently announced a series of new components to the Canada Economic Development Strategic Plan for 2008-2011, of which Export Support is one. This $27 million three-year component will serve to help SMEs in all regions of Quebec pursue their growth and remain competitive," explained Minister Blackburn.
This component will enable Canada Economic Development to provide assistance to SMEs in the province seeking to step up their international export activities, particularly on U.S. markets. Coaching and guidance services on new market commercialization, participation in trade missions and the adoption of customer relations management software are some of the activities that qualify for financial assistance under this component.
"Strengthening the economic base of the regions is a priority for Canada Economic Development and for our government at large, which recently introduced important measures to help communities offset the effects of the fluctuating exchange rate, adjust to heightened competition and stimulate demand on key markets. One example of this effort is the Community Development Trust, a $1 billion program to fund provincial and territorial initiatives designed to assist our country's workers and communities," the Minister concluded.
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Sources:
François Bélisle
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-825-5260, ext. 235
E-mail: francois.belisle@dec-ced.gc.ca
Pierre Miquelon
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: pierre.miquelon@dec-ced.gc.ca
