March 12, 2019 – Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Based in northern New Brunswick, the Atlantic Canada Marketing and Export Centre (AMEC) understands the importance international business development plays in New Brunswick's economy. With the help of the Government of Canada, AMEC plans to connect, showcase and develop the province's business culture to increase the region's competitiveness in the global marketplace.
A first for Canada, AMEC is opening a virtual centre that will support the marketing efforts of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in New Brunswick. The Government of Canada is providing a non-repayable contribution of $147,000 for the project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), to help the not-for-profit organization conduct a feasibility study and a detailed business plan to support increased exports.
Rémi Massé, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA made the announcement today. René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche, also took part in the announcement.
The Government of Canada is helping small and medium-sized businesses to start-up, expand or modernize and supporting not-for-profit organizations to fuel business growth. Exports and foreign investment in the region help create more and better paying jobs, and contribute to a higher quality of life for Atlantic Canadians. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is working to achieve its Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.
"Small and medium sized businesses are the heart of New Brunswick's economy. I am pleased that the Government of Canada, through ACOA, is supporting the Atlantic Canada Marketing and Export Centre to promote and develop the region's skills and expertise in order to increase their global competitiveness."
- Rémi Massé, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.
"New Brunswick has a long history of prospering through trade, exporting a wide variety of products and services to global markets. In order to grow the region's capacity for global success, this project will further invest in the competencies and capabilities of SMEs to increase their participation in international markets."
- René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche
"The centre will become a unique, accessible, modern and efficient electronic platform for exporting the products of our companies in order to increase their profitability, create jobs and thus contribute to the economic development of all. I would like to thank ACOA for its support in this first step of developing the business plan."
- Norman G. Thériault, président du conseil d'administration du Centre de commercialisation et d'exportation du Canada atlantique
Quick facts
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The Government of Canada is investing $147,000 in this project through ACOA's Business Development Program (BDP).
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The BDP primarily assists Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs who want to start a business, increase productivity or improve operations. Investments under the BDP address any gap that may arise if an application does not fit within ACOA's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.
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The Business Development Program continues to build on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.
