Supporting and partnering with small and medium-sized enterprises to seize opportunities abroad is a key part of our pro-export, pro-jobs plan, says Minister Fast
April 24, 2015 - Nanaimo, British Columbia - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, alongside Marcus Ewert-Johns, Vice President of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters British Columbia, today hosted an export workshop designed to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the tools and practical information they need to take advantage of international business opportunities to export.
Today’s export workshop in Nanaimo—part of a cross-country series launched by Minister Fast in November 2014—was attended by more than 40 participants. To date, 17 workshops have been hosted across Canada, attracting more than 1,900 SME representatives.
In Nanaimo, Minister Fast also announced $60,275 in support of Marine Renewables Canada from the government’s Global Opportunities for Associations (GOA) program, to help their members expand abroad.
In Victoria, Minister Fast addressed the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, where he discussed Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2015, a balanced-budget, low-tax plan for jobs, growth and security. Prime Minister Harper recently announced a total of $50 million over five years in direct financial assistance to Canadian SMEs for market research and participation in trade missions. It is expected that this funding will help between 500 and 1,000 Canadian entrepreneurs per year reach their full export potential.
Also in Victoria, Minister Fast announced Invest Canada - Community Initiatives (ICCI) program funding of $11,000 for the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, in support of attracting job-creating investment.
The Harper Government is committed to creating the right economic environment to support and help grow Canadian businesses; this includes keeping taxes low and ensuring companies receive the full range of support and services from the government they need to find real export success in global markets, which creates jobs and opportunities for workers and their families here at home.
Minister Fast invited participants to join him on his upcoming trade mission to the Philippines, which will take place in May 2015.
The next export workshop will be held on May 1, 2015, in Vaughan, Ontario.
Max Moncaster
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade
343-203-7332
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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