September 10, 2013
London, United Kingdom
Today, the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, demonstrated the Government of Canada's commitment to strengthening Canada's defence and security industries by officially opening the Canada Pavilion at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEi) 2013 trade show.
"The defence and security industries are important economic drivers in Canada and their long-term competitiveness is linked to their success in international markets,
" said Minister Rempel. "Our Government is committed to connecting small- and medium-sized businesses with major industry players to enter new international markets, increase supply chain development opportunities, and increase export sales figures, which will benefit all of Canada.
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Minister Rempel, who attended DSEi on behalf of the federal government, also announced that her department, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), is providing $618,000 to the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) to undertake a two-year project which will increase the international exposure of western Canadian companies. With this funding, CADSI will coordinate and manage a western Canadian defence and security industry presence at key international defence and security trade shows, like DSEi, increasing opportunities for the success of these important industries on the global stage.
"CADSI is pleased to be working with WD. We are convinced that Ottawa's whole of government approach to promoting defence and security exports will result in a significant increase in the sector's export success,
" said CADSI President Tim Page. "This is good news for the Canadian economy and good news for the 109,000 knowledge-based workers who work in the industries in Canada. WD is providing an important contribution to enable western Canadian companies to participate in our export success.
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Federal support for this project was announced by Minister Rempel at the official opening of the Western Canadian Booth at DSEi 2013's Canada Pavillion, created as part of the project. The Booth helps raise the profile of Western Canada with an international audience and facilitates new business connections between western small- and medium-sized enterprises and international companies as well as potential foreign government customers.
While attending DSEi, Minister Rempel met with Canadian participants and promoted Canadian defence and security capabilities to leading global defence companies interested in doing business in Canada and with Canadian partners.
Since 2006, the Harper Government, through WD, has invested in job-creating small- and medium-sized businesses, aerospace, marine and defence industries, and supported innovative entrepreneurs in pursuing emerging markets. By continuing to promote new economic opportunities, WD is helping to create jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity.
