Government of Canada Supports International Commercialization Efforts of Carrefour Quebec International and Derco Horticulture Inc.

SAINT-GERMAIN-DE-GRANTHAM, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - July 16, 2012) - Acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for Lotbinière-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, today announced major financial contributions to the organization Carrefour Québec International (CQI) and the firm Derco Horticulture Inc., notably to support their efforts to break into international markets.

"By supporting CQI and Derco Horticulture Inc., the Government of Canada is demonstrating its firm commitment to promote Quebec businesses' entry into export markets and thus develop regional economies," said MP Gourde.

Carrefour Québec International (CQI)

Founded in 1995 in the Centre-du-Québec region, CQI is a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster increased international sales for the manufacturing firms it serves. Since April 2008, the Drummondville-based CQI team has, through its regional offices, extended its services to the Mauricie region, and since spring 2009, to the Estrie region.

Canada Economic Development is renewing its partnership with CQI by granting the organization $1,233,000 in non-repayable funding to pursue its work. The results of CQI's activities over the past twelve months exceeded targets, particularly in terms of participation in awareness and training activities as well as the number of companies having increased their export capabilities. CQI is planning to introduce new networking activities, update its directories and develop tools tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized export enterprises. It is in this spirit that CQI received a second contribution of $144,985 in non-repayable funding to carry out a pilot project aimed at providing customized innovation services to Centre-du-Québec companies.

Derco Horticulture Inc.

Founded in 1998, Derco Horticulture Inc. specializes in the design and manufacture of landscaping and gardening products for professionals in the field. This firm has won awards for the design of two products, one of them a novel garden centre cart. The $96,575 in repayable funding from Canada Economic Development will enable Derco Horticulture to proceed with its strategy to commercialize its products in Europe.

Information:

The $1,233,000 contribution to CQI has been granted under Canada Economic Development's Business and Regional Growth program. The two other financial contributions have been awarded through Canada Economic Development's Quebec Economic Development Program.

To learn more about Carrefour Québec International: www.cqinternational.org (French only), and about Derco Horticulture Inc.: www.derco.ca

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