“This agreement opens the door for both organizations to work together on areas of mutual concern and better serve the needs of the territorial business community,” said NWT Chamber President Ann Marie Tout. “BDIC has a wide range of products and services designed to assist new and growing businesses, while our Chamber network provides an ideal avenue for promoting those resources to entrepreneurs around the NWT.”

 

Through this MOU, both parties will also be able to engage in cost-sharing initiatives related to conferences and tradeshows, thereby allowing each to maintain their public presence in a more cost-effective manner.

 

“Both the BDIC and the Chamber are mandated to help promote and support business growth in the NWT, so this kind of cooperation is a natural fit for our organizations,” said Pawan Chugh, BDIC Chief Executive Officer. “We are extremely pleased to begin this new working relationship with the NWT Chamber and see no limit to the possible benefits for the territorial business community.”

 

The BDIC is a recognized leader in the NWT regional economic development and the growth of a dynamic small and mid-sized business sector. The BDIC provides access to business financing, business support services and business development assistance to businesses in the NWT.

 

In association with the network of community chambers of commerce in Fort Simpson, Behchoko, Norman Wells, Fort Smith, Hay River and Yellowknife as well as the Northern Aboriginal Business Association, the NWT Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of more than 865 members. For more than 35 years, it has been the only pan-territorial voice of businesses across all sectors of the Northern economy.