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News Release - Manitoba

May 21, 2008

Swan Attending Business Conference

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More than 45 Business Representatives Participating In International Forum

Competitiveness, Training and Trade Minister Andrew Swan is attending Futurallia Québec 2008, a conference that forges partnerships with businesses from around the world.
 
“I’m pleased that more than 45 Manitoba business representatives and organizations are participating in this conference,” said Swan. “The event is an ideal forum for businesses from Manitoba to meet potential business partners from around the world.”
 
Futurallia Québec 2008 is an international business forum where small- and medium-sized companies from around the world gather to establish important business partnerships to expand their global market reach.
 
In advance of the event, each participant has the opportunity to schedule up to 12 meetings with potential partners.  More than 8,000 meetings are expected to be scheduled.
 
Futurallia is a unique event for businesses that want to:
·         strengthen their worldwide market positions;
·         meet future partners from different countries and sectors;
·         establish trade, financial, strategic or technological alliances;
·         develop new markets;
·         identify new market opportunities; and
·         learn about the characteristics of international markets.
 
Swan noted the importance of trade to Manitoba’s economy. He said foreign merchandise exports annually account for about 30 per cent of Manitoba’s real gross domestic product and support an estimated 100,000 Manitoba jobs.
 
Manitoba will be highly visible at Futurallia. The official head of the province’s mission is Agence nationale et internationale du Manitoba (ANIM). 
 
“We support ANIM in its efforts to provide opportunities to Manitoba businesses in the world’s francophone markets,” said Swan. “Futurallia represents an important opportunity for Manitoba companies to make contacts to expand their global trade activities.”
 
Swan will be speaking at a reception organized by ANIM for key business partners from Quebec, France and Belgium.
 
Futurallia Québec 2008 began yesterday in Quebec City and will run through tomorrow.
 
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