Commerce international Côte-Nord will be able to continue supporting exporting SMEs in the region

The Government of Canada awards over $400,000 in funding to support the export promotion organization

BAIE-COMEAU, QC, April 26, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ -  Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Support from the Government of Canada will allow Commerce international Côte-Nord (CICN), the Côte‑Nord regional export promotion organization (ORPEX), to continue assisting businesses in the region with their exporting activities. CICN's services target regional manufacturing and service SMEs that plan to develop their export operations.

To support its activities over the next three years, the organization will benefit from a $411,000 non‑repayable contribution from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. The announcement was made by the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Gaspésie‒Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, acting on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED.

ORPEXes help businesses

• obtain basic exporting information;
• organize their activities aimed at breaking into foreign markets;
• receive a diagnosis regarding their export capacity;
• find out about funding opportunities for their export projects;
• get specialized training; and
• develop an international business plan.

The funding, provided under CED's Quebec Economic Development Program, will allow Commerce international Côte-Nord to pursue its mission, which involves supporting the growth of Côte‑Nord–region SMEs by helping them increase their export volume through market diversification and the development of their export potential.

Quotes

"ORPEXes are an essential resource for export businesses, and their achievements contribute directly to the Government of Canada's key international trade priorities. We are very pleased to be able to support Commerce international Côte-Nord which, since 1999, has been playing a structuring role for Côte-Nord SMEs wishing to position themselves in new markets. We have full confidence in CICN's ability to help these businesses look to the future and prosper."

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue and MP for Gaspésie‒Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine

"CED is proud to have provided funding for the ORPEXes since their creation in 1990. Unique to Quebec, these organizations contribute, not only to the attainment of CED's global business commercialization and positioning targets, but also to the projected 30% increase in Canadian exports by 2025, an ambitious goal that the Government of Canada has set for itself. By focusing on the importance of innovation, this renewed funding will equip Quebec businesses with tools to favourably position themselves in a highly competitive global ecosystem."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED

"We are extremely pleased with this financial support, and with the confidence that CED has placed in us. This new funding agreement will allow our organization to continue supporting Côte-Nord SMEs, as it has been doing for almost 20 years now, through a comprehensive range of services aimed at helping them diversify their opportunities and capture new markets. Our organization is proud to serve a vast region where more and more businesses in various fields of activity are realizing the importance of export markets for their growth and prosperity."

Mohamed Qasimi, Director, Commerce international Côte-Nord

Quick facts

• The ORPEXes' objectives include raising awareness among Quebec businesses about the growth potential associated with exporting and, subsequently, helping them diversify and capture export markets.
• Today's announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio, which is made up of 17 federal departments and agencies, including CED and the other five regional development agencies.
• The funding was provided under CED's Quebec Economic Development Program. To find out more about CED and its priorities, see the 2019-2020 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec‑ced.gc.ca.
• For 50 years now, the Government of Canada has been actively involved in regional economic development in Quebec: half a century of concrete action targeting the growth of Quebec's regions and businesses.

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Media Relations, Canada Economic Development, for Quebec Regions, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]