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Canada's New Government Invests $1.52 Million to Strengthen Trade Relationships with Asia
Minister Emerson announced $1.52 million in WD funding for three projects that explore the wealth of economic opportunities to be generated through the Government's Asia Pacific Gateway Corridor Initiative.
Canada's New Government is investing $1.52 million toward three projects that will strengthen Canada's trade ties with Asia, provide useful information to exporters and support entrepreneurs. These projects complement the federal government's $591 million Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) announced earlier this month.
Today's announcement was made at the 2006 Asia Pacific Summit by the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics on behalf of the Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.
"Canada's New Government is proud to provide $1.52 million for programs that will encourage business and stakeholders to get involved and look at opportunities in the Asia-Pacific markets," said Minister Emerson. "Canada's new government believes that the time to start building strong relations with Asia is now."
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada received $220,265 for the Towards an Asia Pacific Gateway Strategy project to engage key stakeholders across Canada, build awareness of Asia Pacific business opportunities and further explore how Canadians can benefit from improved trade corridors.
"With Western Economic Diversification Canada's support and in cooperation with other federal departments, APF Canada is consulting with business, academic, cultural and civil society groups in a series of seven convenings across the country," said Foundation Co-CEO Dr. Paul Evans. "The convenings are looking beyond the immediate issues of transportation infrastructure to explore how gateways and corridors can add value to the relationship between Canada and Asia. This includes focusing on human resources, innovation in research and exchanges, commercial innovation and cultural and design issues."
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. received $938,516 to extend its Gateway to Asia (GTA) export program beyond B.C. into Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In addition, the organization will receive $356,410 to continue its Business Links for New Immigrants program.
"In partnership with Western Economic Diversification Canada, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. has assisted over 100 Canadian companies and agencies in reaching out to markets in Asia," said Thomas Tam, Program Director for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business & Economic Development. "These projects are an effective platform for entrepreneur immigrants to network with local manufacturers as well as the business community at large."
For additional information, contact:
Bernée Bolton
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia
Tel: (604) 666-1324
C: (604) 506-6616
Mike Winterburn
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
Tel: (613) 995-2960
Maggie Nevin
Communications Director
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Tel: (604) 630-1529
C: (604) 704-6183
Web site: http://www.asiapacific.ca/
Thomas F.C. Tam
Program Director
S.U.C.C.E.S.S Business Development and Training
Tel: (604) 639-5588
C: (604) 808-6812
Web site: http://www.success.bc.ca/
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is a not-for-profit organization that has been devoted for over 30 years to providing a diverse range of services to facilitate the effective settlement and integration of new immigrants into the Lower Mainland.
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is the country’s leading independent resource on Asia and Canada-Asia relations. As a national non-profit organization established by an Act of the Federal Parliament in 1984, the Foundation brings together people and knowledge to provide research, analysis and information on Asia and Canada's transpacific relations. The Foundation is funded through an endowment from the Government of Canada and a grant from the Province of British Columbia.
Announcement:
The Government of Canada through WD is investing $1.52 million in the
following projects to strengthen Canada’s commercial ties with Asia:
Towards an Asia Pacific Gateway Strategy Project -$220,265
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada will engage stakeholders across Canada in research and awareness building regarding economic opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region. This research will provide important input to the federal government’s Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.
Components include: seven stakeholder forums in key cities across Canada; three targeted research/policy papers into specific areas of opportunity; public communications activities (e.g. website and public polling); and support for the 2006 Asia Pacific Summit conference. This project is also in partnership with the Province of B.C.; the provincial governments of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec; the Canada West Foundation; the Halifax Port Authority; the Montreal Chamber of Commerce; the Regina Regional Economic Development Authority and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
Gateway to Asia Program - $938,516
The United Chinese Cultural Enrichment Services Society (S.U.C.C.E.S.S.) is extending its Gateway to Asia (GTA) export program beyond B.C. into Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. This project will build on GTA’s existing programming to deliver Asian market workshops, business matching for export and inward investment, affordable market awareness trade missions to China and information mechanisms.
GTA was established in 2001 to link western Canadian suppliers interested in exporting to Asia with recent Asian immigrants who facilitate new business relationships and contracts with buyers and investors in their former homeland. The B.C. Ministry of Economic Development also supports this project.
Business Links for New Immigrants Program - $356,410
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. will continue its Business Links for New Immigrants program, a business services support program to new immigrant entrepreneurs that provides business start-up information and training. Services include business planning, marketing, accounting, development of business plans and access to financing through partnerships with Coast Capital Savings Credit Union and Van City Savings Credit Union.
The Business Links pilot program was launched in 2004 to address the gap between business services for new immigrant entrepreneurs and their inability to access financing. This project is also supported by Coast Capital Savings.
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