New Market Development Program Launched

The agriculture, agri-food and seafood industries will benefit from a new program to expand market share and foster economic growth.

The three-year Market Development and Investment Attraction program begins in the 2015-16 fiscal year, with $450,000 available annually.

"Our producers and processors are pivotal to growing the Nova Scotia economy, and this new program will help them have access to new markets and increase the positive impact their businesses have on our rural communities around the province," said Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell. "The ability to improve domestic and international competitiveness through collaboration and partnering is integral to what we are launching."

The program will also help agriculture, agri-food and seafood businesses increase added-value and market-driven initiatives, partnerships and collaboration, and to better attract and retain investment.

"Our government is proud to support initiatives that help the agriculture, fish and seafood industries access new markets and grow their business," said federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "The purpose of this program is to help producers improve their incomes and strengthen the Canadian economy."

Seafood businesses qualify for projects targeting international market opportunities specifically.

The new program is funded through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial initiative that is 60-40 cost-shared. More information on the Market Development and Investment Program is available at novascotia.ca/agri/programs-and-services/financial-funding/growing-forward2/ .