PS Brown announces new funding that will provide technical and financial help to small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises
August 15, 2014 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
Today, following a round table discussion with Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, and Ukrainian diaspora communities on current development issues, Lois Brown, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, announced Canada’s support to a project that will convey technical advice and financial products to small and medium-sized farm businesses in Ukraine, with the help of the private sector.
Canada is working in partnership with the International Finance Corporation to encourage sustainable economic development for all Ukrainians. Small and medium-sized agricultural entrepreneurs are an important source of economic growth, job creation, government revenue to finance essential public services, and the goods and services required to improve people's quality of life.
“Our project with the International Finance Corporation will help small and medium-sized enterprises in the agricultural sector become more competitive,” said PS Brown. “Canada remains committed to helping Ukraine with its economic growth, and to increasing economic opportunities for Ukrainians.”
Canada’s development programming in Ukraine aims to improve the business-enabling environment, restore confidence in financial institutions and increase the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized enterprises, including in the agricultural sector, by diversifying skills and increasing access to credit. Canada has also increased its support for democracy and rule of law in Ukraine since 2013.
“The relationship between Canada and Ukraine has deep roots,” said PS Block. “This project will strengthen these ties between our two countries.”
Recognizing that private enterprises have an important role to play in achieving lasting development impact, the Government of Canada is committed to strengthening its engagement with private sector actors as partners to help reduce global poverty.
Later during the day, PS Brown will host a round table with PS Block and local stakeholders to discuss Canada’s leadership role to date as well as what concrete actions we should take going forward to ensure continuous improvement to maternal, newborn and child health programming. This meeting is part of the consultations announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the Saving Every Woman, Every Child: Within Arm’s Reach summit, which took place in Toronto on May 28–30, 2014.
Sandrine Périon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-6238
sandrine.perion@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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