Above: Canadian Minister of International Cooperation Beverley Oda (UN Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Canadian International Development Agency is funding a new project to support local economic development in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Local Economic Development project will focusing on the support of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the region. The help will come from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, who will assist local Caribbean municipalities strengthen their local economies.

“Canada’s local municipalities not only work to provide Canadians with safe, vibrant and prosperous communities, for 25 years they also shared their expertise with others in developing countries around the world,” said Canadian Minister of International Cooperation Beverley Oda.

The project will support up to 50 local governments in agencies, who will then reach up to 500 small businesses in six countries.

CIDA is committing $20 million to the project.

“Canadians can take pride in the membership of the FCM and in the work they will undertake to help local Caribbean communities strengthen their local economic development and increase business opportunities in six different countries,” she said.