May 20, 2010

Canadian processors get funding to expand in Asia Pacific

The Canadian government announced CAD961,000 (US$918,553) will be made available to food processors from western Canada to help increase the availability of their value-added food product exports in Asia-Pacific markets.

Saskatchewan Food Processors Association, Inc. (SFPA), as the lead organisation in partnership with associations in Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia, and with Food Beverage Canada, will direct the trade missions to and from China, Hong Kong, South Korea, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Up to 900 food processing companies could be set to benefit from the scheme. The government forecasts the marketing initiative to return approximately CAD13.5 million in sales and foreign direct investment from Asia-Pacific countries to Western Canada over the next four years.