Canada gives C$5m to Sulawesi project

JAKARTA: As part of its commitment to the 2004 G-8 Sea Island Summit, Canada has contributed C$5 million to a pilot project aimed at helping small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sulawesi, the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta announced.

G-8 countries, including Canada, have committed themselves to help foster entrepreneurship in developing countries to increase jobs and economic opportunities for those most in need.

"This C$5 million contribution is reflective of Canada's development objectives here, which are to support Indonesian efforts to reduce poverty," Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia Randolph Mank said in a statement.

"By focussing on SME business development, in particular, we are seeking to encourage economic growth and create more jobs for people," Mank said.

Canada has a long history of cooperation with Indonesia and has disbursed more than C$120 million during the last five years in support of wide-ranging initiatives for the environment and community development. -- JP