BDC and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to help
Canadian businesses seize global opportunities

MONTREAL, Dec. 14 /CNW Telbec/ - The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade today signed a memorandum of understanding to make Canada more prosperous by supporting the growth and competitiveness of Canadian businesses in world markets.

The memorandum of understanding will facilitate the sharing of business intelligence about global markets, and enable BDC and Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to collaborate more closely on joint marketing initiatives. BDC clients will benefit with targeted information about leads and international opportunities, as identified by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and will receive more personalized assistance with their overseas business planning and operations. The memorandum of understanding will also increase cooperation between BDC and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in such fields as training and staff development.

"BDC supports Canadian businesses so they can grow and compete in domestic and global markets," said Jean-René Halde, BDC President and CEO. "This memorandum of understanding will enable BDC clients to benefit from improved access to expert advice when preparing marketing and sales strategies, including export market implementation, as well as business coaching and innovation planning."

"At this time of fragile economic recovery, it is more important than ever that Canadian businesses look beyond our borders for opportunities in the global marketplace," said the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry."Our government is committed to supporting Canadian businesses so they can continue to compete with the best in the world."

As part of this commitment, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has trade commissioners www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca in five BDC offices: Victoria and Kelowna, British Columbia, and Windsor, Kitchener and Ottawa, Ontario. These commissioners support Canadian business in four key services areas: international market preparedness, market assessment, identification of qualified contacts and problem solving.

"Our government fulfilled its promise to expand the Trade Commissioner Service network across Canada. The expanded network supports Canadian businesses and provides tools so they can capitalize on global opportunities," said the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of International Trade. "Our partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada allows this to continue."

The memorandum of understanding signed today remains effective until its expiry on December 1, 2015.

About BDC
BDC is Canada's business development bank. From more than 100 business centres across the country, BDC promotes entrepreneurship by providing highly tailored financing, venture capital and consulting services to entrepreneurs. www.bdc.ca

For further information:

Geoffrey King
Director, Public Relations, BDC
514-496-4351
[email protected]