For Immediate Release
September 10, 2009

Vancouver – S.U.C.C.E.S.S. will partner with Public Works and Government Services Canada’s Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) and host them as a speaker at upcoming workshops.  The aim of the workshops is to help small businesses understand how to sell goods and services to the Government of Canada.

“S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is very pleased to enter into the partnership with OSME. Most of our clients at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business & Economic Development (SBED) are from Asia. They bring financial resources and experience to Canada but also face challenges such as lacking knowledge of Canadian business, awareness of available resources and /or appropriate business languages skills. This initiative will help the small business community understand how they can make use of existing government resources in order to fully integrate into Canada’s economy,” said Tung Chan, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S..

A series of seminars and interactive workshops will be organized in Mandarin, Korean and Punjabi at various locations in the Lower Mainland on the following topics:

• How the Government of Canada contracts for goods and services;
• What they buy;
• How to register as a supplier; and
• How to find contracting opportunities with the Government of Canada;

According to Ravinder Rakhra, Regional Director of OSME, smaller businesses are significant suppliers of goods and services to the Government of Canada. Canadian SMEs have historically accounted for an average of 39 percent of the value of government purchases and an average of 63 percent of new government contracts.

“OSME is resourced to work with small businesses so that they can understand how to sell to the Government of Canada.  We have a local team of people who understand the process and we want to share this information with as wide an audience as possible.  We offer seminars throughout the year and are also available for one-on-one meetings with suppliers,” said Rakhra. “I’m very exciting about our partnership with S.U.C.C.E.S.S., as this will allow us to respond to the diverse culture of our region,” Rakhra added.

All media are invited to attend a special Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony, followed by a seminar in Mandarin. The details are as follows:

For registration or inquires: 604-684-1628 or 604-732-3278; Online registration is also available: www.success.bc.ca;

Public Works and Government Services Canada’ Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME)
OSME supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to ensure that government procurement is accountable, cost effective and responsive. Pacific Region’s OSME was established in 2006 with a mandate to assist SMEs as they navigate the federal government procurement system and to represent the views of SMEs to ensure clear and transparent policies and tools.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business & Economic Development
Established in 1995 S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business & Economic Development fosters economic integration by linking immigrant entrepreneurs and local Canadian business community together through the provision of entrepreneurship training, business counseling and networking opportunities.

Contact:
Ray Tseng
Program Manager, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Business & Economic Development
Tel: 604-639-5582
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Eileen Lao
Public Affairs Manager, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Tel: 604-408-7243
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