Government of Canada invests just over $1 million to help 135 small and medium-sized businesses export to new markets
May 22, 2019 - Winnipeg, Manitoba
When Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) export, they become more productive, create more jobs, grow and scale at higher rates, and invest more in research and development.
Through 14 trade agreements, including the new North American Free Trade Agreement, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Canadian SMEs now have access to 1.5 billion customers, yet only 12% are taking advantage of these new customers by exporting.
To increase Canada's overseas exports by 50% by 2025, the Government of Canada has taken action with the $1.1 billion Export Diversification Strategy.
Today, Dan Vandal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface-Saint Vital, on behalf of the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, announced an investment of just over $1 million in World Trade Centre Winnipeg to expand its Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) to communities across Manitoba.
These investments in the TAP expansion will help up to 135 SMEs in Manitoba export to new markets.
The Export Diversification Strategy is part of the Government of Canada's plan to help small and medium-sized businesses start up, scale up and access new markets.
"Small businesses are the backbone of communities across Manitoba, and they deserve every opportunity to be known both here and abroad. Our government is committed to helping them grow and succeed. By helping our Canadian businesses export to new markets, we are helping to create better paying jobs at home, grow the national economy and strengthen local communities."
- Dan Vandal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface-Saint Vital
"Our global brand is strong once again and the world wants-and needs-more Canada. Today's investment in World Trade Centre Winnipeg's Trade Accelerator Program will help up to 135 businesses export to 1.5 billion customers made available through Canada's many trade agreements. Our government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is delivering on our commitment to help small and medium-sized businesses start up, scale up and access new markets."
- The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion
"Manitoba was the first to offer TAP Canada outside the Greater Toronto Area in 2017. We have since offered 4 cohorts to 59 graduating companies now equipped with a fully developed export plan. The federal funding announced today will be instrumental in allowing for a broader outreach of companies from rural and northern Manitoba to participate, mobilizing them to become export-ready. An estimated total of 135 local companies will benefit from this 3-year funding."
- Mariette Mulaire, President and CEO, World Trade Centre Winnipeg
