Montréal, March 18, 2021 – The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal is pleased to launch the Centre d’aide technique aux entreprises de Montréal (Technical Aid Centre for Montréal Businesses) (CATEM), a new project designed to support SMEs and organizations on the Island of Montréal facing difficulties following the pandemic. With the financial support of Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (DEC), the Chamber will offer custom support to Montréal businesses affected by the crisis as well as a series of technical support services created to meet their needs. The CATEM falls under the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF).
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, aid deployed by governments has helped many companies get back on their feet,” said Michel Leblanc, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. “Despite this, many companies still need technical support to deal with cash flow issues and overcome financial difficulties. This is true across Quebec and obviously in Greater Montréal, where most remaining businesses that are partially or totally shutdown are located. We are launching the CATEM to respond to this need for support, which will provide more fluid access to existing programs and technical aid to allow businesses to get back on their feet.”
“The Chamber has developed solid expertise in advice to businesses, in particular through its Info entrepreneurs resource centre, which collects business data and offers a referral service to different aid organizations in Quebec,” Michel Leblanc said. “With the CATEM, we can build on this expertise to offer technical support to respond to concrete needs of businesses. The Chamber will offer a personalized support service to identify possible solutions to help them continue their activities, increase their resilience, and protect their competitiveness.”
“The Government of Canada’s priority is to help small and medium-sized businesses in Quebec so they can rebound vigorously after the health crisis,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister Responsible for CED. “And we will continue to support them as long as it lasts: our SMEs are the driver of our communities and the backbone of our economy. They create and maintain quality local jobs and are responsible for the vitality of regions. The government is committed to supporting them to ensure that our economy comes back even stronger.”
SMEs and NPOs on the Island of Montréal that are having financial, operational, and organizational difficulties can take advantage of the CATEM until June 30, 2021. Businesses in highly impacted sectors such as retail, entertainment, and culture, hotels and restaurants and the manufacturing sector will benefit from the Chamber’s expertise in guidance and support for business development. They will have access to training opportunities as well as specialized services that will allow them to perform a diagnosis of their situation, develop a financial plan, assess their business strategy viability, diversify their markets, and adapt their day-to-day activities to a business environment complicated by the crisis.
Details about the Centre d’aide technique aux entreprises de Montréal are available on the Chamber website.
About the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM)
With a network of over 8,000 members, the CCMM is active on two fronts: being the voice of the Montréal business community and delivering specialized services to businesses and their representatives. With its finger on the pulse of current events, it acts on issues that are decisive for the prosperity of the city’s businesses. With the support of the Acclr experts, the CCMM’s goal is to accelerate the creation and growth of businesses of all sizes, at home and around the world.
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Source:
Dominique Talbot
Advisor, Media Relations
Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4052
dtalbot@ccmm.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chambremontreal
Twitter: @chambremontreal
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