The Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) has honoured the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) with a 2011 ADFIAP award in the Outstanding Development Project – Trade Development category. BDC received this award for its Market Xpansion Loan Program™, which provides Canadian entrepreneurs with financing to explore commercial opportunities and expand activities in domestic and foreign markets.
“We are very proud to have received this recognition from our international peers,” said Edmée Métivier, BDC Executive Vice President for Financing and Consulting. “This award acknowledges the role BDC plays to help Canadian entrepreneurs grow their businesses and expand into new markets. The Market Xpansion Loan Program™ is designed to make it easier for entrepreneurs to take advantage of market opportunities, wherever they may be found.”
BDC initiated the Market Xpansion Loan Program™ in fiscal 2009. It is an innovative program that provides up to $100,000 in flexible financing for small and medium sized enterprises. It enables them to participate in prospecting initiatives at overseas trade shows, to conduct marketing and product development research and to purchase additional inventory for export.
As at 2011 fiscal year end, BDC had authorized 1,406 loans for a total of $75.7 million under the auspices of the Market Xpansion Loan Program™.
About BDC
Canada’s business development bank, BDC, puts entrepreneurs first. With almost 1,900 employees and more than 100 business centres across the country, BDC offers financing, subordinate financing, venture capital and consulting services to 29,000 small and medium sized companies. Their success is vital to Canada’s economic prosperity. http://www.bdc.ca/EN/Pages/home.aspx
About ADFIAP
Founded in 1976, the ADFIAP includes public sector banks and financial institutions engaged in economic and entrepreneurial development of countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The ADFIAP, whose mission is to promote sustainable development through its members, has 117 member institutions in 42 countries. http://www.adfiap.org/
For further information:
Geoffrey King
Director, Public Relations, BDC
514-496-4351
[email protected]
