Government of Canada to help western Canadian businesses increase international trade in the digital sector

WINNIPEG, April 15, 2019 /CNW/ - Information and communication technology (ICT) industries are the backbone of the global digital economy. They are key drivers of productivity growth in our knowledge economy. Western Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are working to increase the market share of Canadian ICT products.

Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), announced two projects totaling $2,725,111 to increase trade in the technology sector. The Information and Communication Technologies Association of Manitoba (ICTAM) will receive $2,625,111 to support a pan-western initiative to increase global trade, known as Tech West Canada. The Campfire Union Inc., operating as Flipside XR, will receive $100,000 through the Women Entrepreneurship Fund to convert real-time animation software to operate on a new virtual reality platform.

Through these investments, ICTAM is leading a western Canadian consortium of businesses attending international ICT trade shows over three years. It is expected that 168 SMEs will participate in 12 events over three years and generate $400 million in sales. The Flipside XR project will result in two new highly qualified jobs, increased service revenue, and the launch of their software on a new hardware platform to increase their user base. A significant portion of Flipside's revenue comes from exports as 91 per cent of their users are located in 54 foreign countries.

Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan aims to build an economy in which Canadians have access to high-quality jobs and Canadian businesses are well-placed to participate in a rapidly evolving and competitive global marketplace.

Quotes

"Our government is laying the foundation for Canadians to become more competitive and succeed in the global economy. Today's investment in Information and Communications Technologies Association of Manitoba builds on our competitive advantages and will result in increasing exports of Canadian ICT goods, boosting economic growth, and creating good, middle-class jobs for Canadians."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada

"Our government is pleased to support Information and Communications Technologies Association of Manitoba and the work it is doing to support small- and medium-sized enterprises compete on the global stage. This investment will result in increased international trade and export markets for the western Canadian ICT industry."
- The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification Canada and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre

"In this high-tech world there's still a need for face-to-face meetings and in-person interaction. That's why Tech West Canada was born, to support companies using international events to build connections abroad so they can grow here at home."
- Kathy Knight, CEO of Information and Communication Technologies Association of Manitoba

"With support from the Women Entrepreneurship Fund, we'll be bringing our app Flipside to new markets, reaching new customers, and scaling our team. For the industry as a whole, a fund like this starts the process of correcting a gender imbalance in tech. More diversity leads to products that work better for everyone."
- Rachael Hosein, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, The Campfire Union Inc.

Additional Links

• Western Economic Diversification Canada
• Innovation and Skills Plan
• Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
• Information and Communication Technologies Association of Manitoba
• Flipside XR

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SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada