Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

December 16, 2009 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Richmond, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, today announced federal support for two programs delivered by the United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society (S.U.C.C.E.S.S.). The programs will provide a variety of business, export, investing and advisory services to entrepreneurs in British Columbia.

“I’m pleased that our Government is committed to helping new Canadians succeed,” said Ms. Wong. “This important investment in S.U.C.C.E.S.S. will provide entrepreneurs with the resources and support to prosper, which in turn will create jobs and opportunities benefiting the entire province.”

With this investment, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. will provide entrepreneurs with a variety of business, export and investment information through the Business Links and Gateway to Asia programs. The Business Links program helps new Canadian residents to prepare business plans and loan applications. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. also acts as a liaison between clients and local lending institutions by providing ongoing support and follow-up for business activities. The Gateway to Asia program is designed to benefit B.C.’s Asian community, leveraging personal and business connections to increase exports to Asia, while directing greater investments to western Canadian communities.

Federal funding of $412,000 under the Western Diversification Program (WDP) is being provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD).

“I am very pleased that Western Economic Diversification Canada has provided funding to support S.U.C.C.E.S.S. in its efforts to promote Canadian exports, facilitate foreign investment opportunities from Asia, and help Canadian businesses compete in Asian markets,” said Tung Chan, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is a multi-service provider delivering settlement, counselling, group, employment, business and economic development services, as well as engaging in advocacy for positive social change.

Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.

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