3 June 2009
Quebec City, Quebec

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today that the Government of Canada is financially supporting the
Institut national d’optique (INO) in implementing its overall research program and development and global marketing of new technologies.
"During the current global economic downturn, it is important to support the activities of an organization like INO, because this world-renowned research centre is contributing to the knowledge economy and innovation," said the Prime Minister. "This financial support by the Government of Canada will help maintain well-paid jobs and will also help many companies that benefit from the transfer of technologies developed by INO."
The support provided to INO will allow it to maintain all of the technology programs in which it is now involved. In addition, INO will have the resources necessary to support small-business growth. Thanks to the transfer of product-related technologies and procedures, it will be able to continue to work with small- and medium-sized businesses to help them grow and become more competitive. INO will also strengthen its presence in world markets, including Europe and Asia.
"INO is making a substantial contribution to know-how developed in the Quebec City region, which is recognized worldwide in the optics and photonics sectors. Its initiatives are enhancing Canada's international influence in numerous high-tech sectors and helping it carve out an impressive niche in the knowledge economy," the Prime Minister concluded.
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