Province encourages companies to go global.Funding pool set up to help small companies develop export marketing opportunities and attract investment The Ontario government is investing in a three-way partnership to train and encourage eight Sudbury and area mining companies to go international. In conjunction with the Sudbury Regional Development Corp. and the Canadian Association of Mining Equipment and Services For Export Canadian Association of Mining Equipment and Services for Export (CAMESE) is a Canadian export trade association of mining suppliers. CAMESE members supply firms focusing on "mineral exploration, mine development, mining, mineral processing, environmental monitoring, smelting and , the province is kicking in $65,000 from its Prosperity Demonstration Fund towards a $140,000 pool set up to allow eight small to medium-sized companies to develop export marketing opportunities and attract investment, says Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM MNDM Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (Ontario) ) spokesperson Natalie Dumont. "The whole point of the program is to enhance the companies' ability to attract investment and export goods using high-tech advantages such as the Internet Internet Publicly accessible computer network connecting many smaller networks from around the world. It grew out of a U.S. Defense Department program called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), established in 1969 with connections between computers at the and video conferencing See videoconferencing. (communications) video conferencing - A discussion between two or more groups of people who are in different places but can see and hear each other using electronic communications. , to teach them how to get into the 21st century with their business," Dumont says. The MNDM has worked with local agencies to bring the project to fruition fru·i·tion n. 1. Realization of something desired or worked for; accomplishment: labor finally coming to fruition. 2. Enjoyment derived from use or possession. 3. . The fund is administered by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT MEDT Military Equipment Delivery Team ), the lead agency behind this initiative. Only small to medium-sized companies will receive this training. These companies are then going to be able to train other companies, and "it's going to radiate ra·di·ate v. 1. To spread out in all directions from a center. 2. To emit or be emitted as radiation. ra throughout the North; it's not just going to be Sudbury that's going to benefit," Dumont says. The program originated as a follow-up to the government's Road Map to Prosperity report where a variety of initiatives were considered and recommended to support new, local and innovative growth firms. "The fund was set up to support local organizations that provide certain strategic goals towards the growth of the local economy," says Melville Wilson, a communications officer with MEDT. "And in the Sudbury area, the MNDM was obviously innovative, and it built on local industry and regional strengths." The onetime seed funds are earmarked as more than just training dollars, but it's hoped the money will lead towards fostering export activity, Wilson adds. "It (the training dollars) can involve more than just knowledge and skill," Wilson says. "It can build on the high-tech (market) and it can build on helping the firms seek customers in wider markets than they had thought of before. It's to allow them to make themselves known and ultimately if it works out, it could involve the opportunity for increased exports and attracting investment to the Sudbury Region." The province has allocated about $1 million annually over the next three years for the Partners in Prosperity program. Thus far, six projects across Ontario, including projects in Sudbury, have been approved this year from this fund totaling $550,000. The identity of the eight firms has not yet been disclosed. Paul Reid Paul Reid may be:
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