Montréal, January 5, 2016 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal welcomes the launch of CanExport, announced today by the Minister of International Trade, Chrystia Freeland, and the Minister of Small Business and Tourism, Bardish Chagger. This new program will provide $50 million over five years in direct financial assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) that want to take advantage of export opportunities on world markets and increase their competitiveness.
“This new program is good news for the city’s SMEs that have the potential to grow their business internationally,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “The investment required in an SME’s first steps on a new market is significant, particularly since it often takes two to three years to see a profit. By financially supporting these initial stages, the CanExport program will offer encouragement to companies that are hesitating to move into new markets.”
“With the favourable economic situation in the U.S. and the weak Canadian dollar, the conditions are ripe for increasing exports to the American market,” Michel Leblanc said. “Companies that do not already have a presence in the U.S. need to be able to position themselves, which this new program will allow them to do. Ultimately, an increase in exports will stimulate job creation, and the city’s entire economy will benefit. We encourage the government to make available a large portion of the funds earmarked for CanExport beginning in 2016 so that local SMEs can start benefitting soon.”
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal’s business community and to promote the city’s prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration, and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to businesses of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.
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Source:
Guillaume Bérubé
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Phone: 514 871-4000, extension 4042
gberube@ccmm.qc.ca
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