November 19, 1999
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

The following statement was issued today by Sandra Kelly, Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I am pleased to inform my honourable colleagues of the latest company to be approved for EDGE status, under the Economic Diversification and Growth Enterprises program.

This program is a successful business attraction tool that is working for our province. To be designated an EDGE corporation, an applicant must show potential for minimum capital investment of $300,000 or incremental sales of $500,000 annually, the potential to create and maintain at least 10 permanent jobs, and must provide a substantial net economic benefit to the province, among other requirements.

Mouyal Corporate Group, of Montreal, Quebec, is establishing a sales and marketing centre in St. John's. The centre will initially house 65 seats and is scheduled to begin operations in early December 1999. At that time, approximately 25 full-time jobs will be created. Eventually, the company will hire approximately 120 people full -time.

Mouyal Corporate Group operates two main divisions. International Business Directories, compiles, publishes and markets speciality business communications directories, and Merchant Transaction Supplies, markets point-of-sale transaction paper and supplies. The centre will service both North American and European markets, and will handle sales calls for both divisions.

I would also like to recognize the contribution of NETWORK Newfoundland and Labrador in bringing this new business venture to our province. This organization is a partnership between our government and Newtel Communications, and was established to help attract call centres to the province.

NETWORK Newfoundland and Labrador worked with Mouyal Corporate Group over the past several months to establish our province as the preferred location for the new centre.

The EDGE program was a key factor in Mouyal Corporate Group's decision to locate to this province, which shows that EDGE is a successful business attraction tool that will continue to bring economic benefits to Newfoundland and Labrador. To date, 67 companies have received EDGE status, investing $73.6 million into our provincial economy, creating 1,482 jobs for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

I am pleased to welcome Mouyal Corporate Group to Newfoundland and Labrador, and wish it every success as an EDGE company.

1999 11 18 11:35 a.m.