Canada gives C$5m to Sulawesi project

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