April 5, 2017, SAINT JOHN (GNB) – The provincial government hosted a second Economic Opportunities Summit Tuesday on access to capital.

“Job creation and economic growth are top priorities for New Brunswickers,” said Premier Brian Gallant. “We are working hard to ensure New Brunswick businesses have the access to capital they need to boost competitiveness and create jobs.”

Over the past year, the government has increased the Small Business Investor Tax Credit to create capital for small businesses and startups, in addition to lowering the small business income tax rate. The government is also focused on boosting capital expenditures in professional, scientific and technical services from 38 per cent to 50 per cent of the national average on a per capita basis to access alternative sources of funding.

With additional input from stakeholders, the government will look for more opportunities to increase access to capital and grow the economy.

Participants at Tuesday’s summit included representatives from Scotiabank and the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick.

Discussions focused on government actions implemented over the past year, as well as identifying future opportunities to improve access to capital.

The event was a followup to a series of Economic Opportunities Summits held around the province last year to identify new prospects for job creation and economic growth.

MEDIA CONTACT(S):

Jean-François Pelletier, corporate communications, Executive Council Office, 506-444-4718.

Mary-Anne Hurley-Corbyn, communications, Opportunities NB, 506-453-5980.