VANCOUVER, BC – April 6, 2022 – The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) welcomes the support of the Government of Canada and thanks Global Affairs Canada for its funding of the Phase II expansion of the APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership.
The Partnership, in which APF Canada has collaborated with the Government of Canada and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat since 2016, is a capacity-building project designed to address key challenges faced by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in APEC developing economies. It has helped innovative entrepreneurs start up and scale up their businesses, improve business management practices, and access resources and connections with a focus on sustainable inclusive growth and poverty reduction, particularly among women- and youth-led businesses.
Phase I of the Partnership offered best-practice tools, ideas, knowledge, and critical connections derived from Canadian experience and tailored to the local markets of APEC developing economies.
Phase II, a four-year project supported by a C$2.31-million contribution from the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada’s Pan-Asia Regional Development Program, will build on the gains made in Phase I by replicating the work of the Partnership in three new APEC developing economies: Malaysia, Thailand, and Papua New Guinea. In addition, APF Canada will continue its work in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, extending its engagement with these economies and furthering the reach of the Partnership’s findings and results.
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, shared that “Canada is continuing to deliver on its commitment to strengthening the capacities of micro, small and medium enterprises owned and managed by women, youth, and other aspiring entrepreneurs. By working in partnership with Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Papua New Guinea, we can build a more prosperous and inclusive economy across Southeast Asia. Through the second phase of the APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership, our work with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and its development partners will help participating enterprises scale up and innovate to increase their competitiveness, allowing them greater access to international markets and customers around the world.”
Added The Honourable Pierre Pettigrew, Chair of the Board of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada: “On behalf of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, I would like to thank the Government of Canada for funding this timely project, which will build the capacity of women- and youth-led businesses in the Asia Pacific and contribute to Canada’s engagement with the dynamic and fast-growing economies of the region. As small businesses across the Asia Pacific recover from the deeply disruptive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Partnership’s work in building the capacity of MSMEs, particularly in the areas of access to technology and digital entrepreneurship, will be vital in supporting inclusive economic recovery and building economies that work for everyone – including women and youth.”
Associated Links:
APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership
Canada and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Contacts:
Media
Michael Roberts
Communications Director, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
michael.roberts@asiapacific.ca
Partnership Information
Justin Kwan
Senior Program Manager, APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership
justin.kwan@asiapacific.ca
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