Victoriaville, Quebec, June 27, 2007 Acting on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Member of Parliament for MéganticL'Érable and Secretary of State for Agriculture, today announced the awarding of $75,000 in non-repayable funding to the Corporation de développement économique des Bois-Francs (CLD) for the organization of the industrial segment of the 20th International SESAME Exchange, being held June 26 to 29, 2007, in Victoriaville.
This year's edition of the Exchange, taking place under the theme of "Waste management: leverage for development", will bring together 200 or so of the world's key sustainable development stakeholders. Conferences, industrial visits, networking activities and personalized business meetings are among the items on the agenda for this event.
"Canada's new government is proud to play an active part in an initiative that is as catalyzing as this SESAME Exchange. This event will help stimulate the development of the region's waste recovery and reclamation sector and enhance its international position. Moreover, it will serve to promote discussion among firms in this sector of tomorrow and pave the way for promising partnerships for our region," Mr. Paradis stated.
The Exchange will give businesses the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the field, particularly those with a potential impact on their competitive standing. Participants will also benefit from the most up-to-date information on opportunities arising from initiatives being carried out by SESAME member cities, notably in terms of logic systems for materials collection and sorting as well as waste handling equipment.
Bois-Francs has developed vast expertise in the area of waste recovery and reclamation, and the Corporation de développement économique des Bois-Francs plays a key role in the growth of this industrial cluster, which includes some 80 enterprises employing nearly 3,000 people and offers wide potential for the economic diversification of the Centre-du-Québec region.
"This SESAME Exchange fits well with the objectives that Canada's new government is seeking to achieve. Indeed, environmental protection is at the very heart of the Advantage Canada strategic plan we adopted in autumn 2006 and is an important source of long-term economic revitalization for our country. This event promises not only to lead participating firms to incorporate principles of sustainable development into their practices, but also to highlight the expertise and leadership that the Centre-du-Québec region has gained in the environmental sector," Mr. Paradis concluded.
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Sources:
Lyne Montpellier
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-371-5182 or 1-800-567-8637
E-mail: lyne.montpellier@dec-ced.gc.ca
Roxane Marchand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-953-5646
Cell.: 613-816-5094
E-mail: roxane.marchand@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
