KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT Acquires First Mortgage Loan Secured by Orlando, Fla., Office Portfolio - msnbc.com

ORLANDO, FL — KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, a publicly offered, non-traded real estate investment trust based in Newport Beach, Calif., has announced the acquisition of a non-performing first mortgage loan collateralized by Primera/University Court, a three-building office portfolio in Orlando, Fla., totaling 106,672 square feet.

On July 2, 2012, the $15,750,000 mortgage loan was purchased at a discounted price of $8 million. As this is a non-performing loan, KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT does not expect to receive repayment of the entire principal balance.

Primera Court I and Primera Court II are twin, 31,840-square-foot buildings located in Lake Mary, Fla., 20 miles north of downtown Orlando. The buildings were completed in 1999 and 2000, respectively, and offer easy access to Interstate 4 and State Roads 417, 419 and 427.

The third building in the portfolio is the 42,992-square-foot University Court, situated blocks from the University of Central Florida campus in the University submarket of Orlando. The two-story building was developed in 2001 and is near State Roads 417, 408 and 50.

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT is a public non-traded real estate investment trust that intends to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, opportunistic real estate, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT was sponsored indirectly by Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., Peter Bren, Keith Hall and Peter McMillan III and is advised by KBS Capital Advisors LLC, an affiliated entity which is indirectly owned and controlled by KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT's sponsors.

About KBS
KBS is a private equity real estate company and SEC-registered investment advisor founded in 1992. Since its inception, KBS and its affiliated companies have completed transactional activity in excess of $22.4 billion via 14 separate accounts, six commingled funds, five sovereign wealth funds and five non-traded REITs. For information, visit www.kbscapital.com.

This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT's ability to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT's or Primera/University Court's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

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Stevens Institute of Technology and mPhase to Partner on Research and Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

LITTLE FALLS, NJ — mPhase Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: XDSL) and Stevens Institute of Technology have announced an official agreement to jointly pursue business opportunities with government and industry as well as research and development (R&D) projects.

Specifically, Stevens and mPhase will collaborate on the design and fabrication of an advanced battery technology utilizing intellectual property and know-how from both parties with the possibility of integrating and advancing mPhase's Smart NanoBattery Technology with Stevens' graphene-based inkjet printing method for printing electrodes and electronic circuits.

The parties also wish to explore the possibility of funding Stevens' research activities relative to graphene-based research projects to advance the inkjet printing of electronics utilizing advanced materials

"mPhase is excited to explore the possibilities of integrating Stevens' leading position in the inkjet printing of energy storage devices using graphene with mPhase's Smart NanoBattery Technology," said Ronald A. Durando, CEO of mPhase Technologies.

"Stevens looks forward to continuing its relationship with mPhase by pursuing this exciting opportunity," added Christos Christodoulatos, Associate Provost of Stevens, Office of Academic Entrepreneurship.

About mPhase Technologies, Inc.

mPhase Technologies is introducing a revolutionary Smart Surface technology enabled by breakthroughs in nanotechnology, MEMS processing and microfluidics. Our Smart Surface technology has potential applications within drug delivery systems, lab-on-a-chip analytic systems, self-cleaning systems, liquid and chemical sensor systems, and filtration systems. mPhase has pioneered its first Smart Surface enabled product, the mPhase Smart NanoBattery. In addition to the Smart Surface technology, mPhase recently introduced its first product, the mPower Emergency Illuminator, an award-winning product designed by Porsche Design Studio and sold via the mPower website: http://www.mpowertech.com.

More information about the company can be found at http://www.mPhaseTech.com.

About Stevens Institute of Technology

Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology, The Innovation University™, lives at the intersection of industry, academics and research. The University's students, faculty and partners leverage their collective real-world experience and culture of innovation, research and entrepreneurship to confront global challenges in engineering, science, systems and technology management.

Based in Hoboken, N.J. and with a location in Washington, D.C., Stevens offers baccalaureate, master's, certificates and doctoral degrees in engineering, the sciences and management, in addition to baccalaureate degrees in business and liberal arts. Stevens has been recognized by both the US Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Excellence in the areas of systems engineering and port security research. The University has a total enrollment of more than 2,400 undergraduate and 3,700 graduate students with more than 450 faculty. Stevens' graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America as well as strategic partnerships with industry leaders, governments and other universities around the world. Additional information may be obtained at www.stevens.edu and www.stevens.edu/news.

Forward-Looking Statements: As a cautionary note to investors, certain matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such matters involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: changes in economic conditions; general competitive factors; acceptance of the Company's products in the market; the Company's success in technology and product development; the Company's ability to execute its business model and strategic plans; and all the risks and related information described from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including the financial statements and related information contained in the Company's SEC Filing. mPhase assumes no obligation to update the information in this release.

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KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT Acquires First Mortgage Loan Secured by Orlando, Fla., Office Portfolio - msnbc.com

ORLANDO, FL — KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT, a publicly offered, non-traded real estate investment trust based in Newport Beach, Calif., has announced the acquisition of a non-performing first mortgage loan collateralized by Primera/University Court, a three-building office portfolio in Orlando, Fla., totaling 106,672 square feet.

On July 2, 2012, the $15,750,000 mortgage loan was purchased at a discounted price of $8 million. As this is a non-performing loan, KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT does not expect to receive repayment of the entire principal balance.

Primera Court I and Primera Court II are twin, 31,840-square-foot buildings located in Lake Mary, Fla., 20 miles north of downtown Orlando. The buildings were completed in 1999 and 2000, respectively, and offer easy access to Interstate 4 and State Roads 417, 419 and 427.

The third building in the portfolio is the 42,992-square-foot University Court, situated blocks from the University of Central Florida campus in the University submarket of Orlando. The two-story building was developed in 2001 and is near State Roads 417, 408 and 50.

KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT is a public non-traded real estate investment trust that intends to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of real estate-related loans, opportunistic real estate, real estate-related debt securities and other real estate-related investments. KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT was sponsored indirectly by Charles J. Schreiber, Jr., Peter Bren, Keith Hall and Peter McMillan III and is advised by KBS Capital Advisors LLC, an affiliated entity which is indirectly owned and controlled by KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT's sponsors.

About KBS
KBS is a private equity real estate company and SEC-registered investment advisor founded in 1992. Since its inception, KBS and its affiliated companies have completed transactional activity in excess of $22.4 billion via 14 separate accounts, six commingled funds, five sovereign wealth funds and five non-traded REITs. For information, visit www.kbscapital.com.

This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT's ability to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT's or Primera/University Court's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

© Marketwire 2012

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Market Conditions and Pricing Create Opportunity for First-Time Buyers at Brookfield Homes in Ontario - msnbc.com

ONTARIO, CA — All 139 garden court townhomes and condominiums in the stylish neighborhood of Belcourt at Edenglen in Ontario are now home to residents like first-time home buyer Claire Peng, who felt the time was right for her, and Brookfield Homes presented her with the right place to live for style, warmth and value.

Peng is not alone. The Commerce Department recently stated that sales of new homes increased 7.6 percent in May from April, the best pace since April 2010, which was the last month that buyers could qualify for a federal home-buying tax credit. This increase follows other signs that show the housing market is improving with mortgage interest rates that are the lowest on record.

"Now that I am living on my own, this is a big change for me," Claire explained, "and Brookfield Homes has made it both affordable and exciting."

Brookfield made it easy for Claire to make new friends by designing a neighborhood with a pedestrian-friendly environment, where wide parkways and sidewalks connect, and the community Clubhouse offers a host of recreational opportunities.

Claire loves the features of her new home, including beautiful wood flooring, a spare bedroom for guests and a spacious master bedroom that includes a large walk-in closet, dual sinks and a separate tub and shower.

Even though Belcourt is sold out, there are still opportunities to share the joys of Edenglen at the community's newest neighborhood, GreenDoor, which offers new single-family detached homes from the low $300,000s.

GreenDoor reconnects residents with everything that matters: peace and quiet, family and friends, home. Plus, technologically advanced and energy-efficient features, including solar panels, extra garage space and up to three-car flex parking, and comfortable yards for entertaining and outdoor living year-round.

All of those advantages distinguish four single-family home designs with large, open floor plans that create the perfect setting for family activities and festive entertaining. Ranging from approximately 1,710 to 2,054 square feet, the homes encompass three to four bedrooms and up to three baths.

For more information about GreenDoor at Edenglen, visit the sales office at 3228 S. Edenglen Avenue in Ontario or call 800-599-3906, or visit www.LiveGreenDoor.com.

Brookfield Homes, a member of Brookfield Residential, is committed to being more than a homebuilder. We are a premier lifestyle provider comprised of a dedicated and knowledgeable team of professionals with the passion and in-depth experience to craft new homes and neighborhoods that speak to the aspirations of homebuyers in every stage of life. Over the years, Brookfield Homes has been consistently acknowledged as a leader in our industry with an exceptional reputation for quality, design, and customer service. Brookfield Residential, publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, is dedicated to creating great places to live and is a leading North American land and housing company. Active in ten major markets across the United States and Canada, Brookfield draws strength from geographic diversity and affiliation with community development and homebuilding operations across the globe. Brookfield Homes Los Angeles is independently and locally operated in the Greater Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties. Visit our corporate web site at www.BrookfieldLA.com.

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Veterans Independence Day: New Tools & Solutions Launched in 12 U.S. Cities to Help Veterans Access Small Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As July 4 approaches, with unemployment rates for some groups of veterans hovering over 18 percent, Furniture Medic, the International Franchise Association (IFA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative will launch new tools and resources June 28, 2012 in 12 cities to help veterans access opportunities in small business ownership and employment including a new free online Veterans Franchise Toolkit and a new Mentor Network to connect veterans to business leaders and jobs.

A Dallas, Texas launch event including IFA, VFW and business leaders will take place June 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at FastSigns located at 7017 John Carpenter Freeway. Contact Stacy Rubenstein at srubenstein@fishmanpr.comor 847-945-1300 to RSVP.

Speaker:Ron Pierce, Furniture Medic owner Wichita Dallas, Texas

The Veterans Franchise (VetFran) Toolkit is designed to foster access to franchise employment and ownership opportunities for U.S. veterans and military spouses. The franchise industry has committed to hiring as team members and recruiting as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses, plus 5,000 wounded warriors. Over 6,200 veterans and spouses have started careers in franchising since the campaign launched last year.

The VetFran Toolkit includes a Franchising 101 online course, a skills and attributes assessment, a finance assessment, and partner links. U.S. military veterans and spouses will also be able to access the VetFran Mentor Network and be connected to franchise business leaders through the Toolkit. The franchise leaders comprising the Mentor Network will share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with veterans in addition to any other professional guidance they are comfortable giving.

The VetFran Mentor Network Advisory Board will lead the volunteer network, including:

Gordon Logan, Founder & CEO, Sport Clips, Inc. (Chairman) (USAF)Melanie Bergeron, Chair of the Board, Two Men & A TruckSean Collins, Vice President, GI Jobs and MilitaryFranchising.com (USN)Jerry Darnell, Darnell & Associates (US Army)Ted Daywalt, President & CEO, VetJobs.com (USN)Chuck Southern, VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationGreg Tanner, National Director of Franchise Sales, Aaron's (US Army)Mary Kennedy Thompson, President & CEO, Mr. Rooter (USMC)Bob Wallace, Executive Director, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (USMC)

Skills testing firm Caliper Corporation, and BoeFly, the online finance marketplace, contributed services at no charge to power the Toolkit.

With its training, structure, systems and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning veterans to become leaders in the civilian economy. According to the U.S. Census, there are over 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. IFA's VetFran strategic initiative was launched in 1991 to help Gulf War veterans transition.

"As we continue to work hard each and every day to extend career opportunities to our nation's veterans, we commend our members who are participating in the VetFran Toolkit launch events and volunteering in the VetFran Mentor Network – they are setting the right example for our industry and our entire nation," said Steve Caldeira, CFE, IFA's President & CEO. "As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that our freedom comes at a price. Now we need to enable our nation's veterans to fulfill their dreams and find career opportunities here at home."

Launch events will also take place in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Miami/South Florida, Minneapolis, Nashville, Norfolk, Austin, San Diego, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.VetFran.com .

About Furniture Medic

Furniture Medic, a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, is one of the world's largest furniture repair and restoration companies and has established a reputation for excellence unmatched in the industry. Our success is rooted in our dedication to providing customers with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality service. Our expertise is unsurpassed and workmanship is guaranteed. For more information about Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedic.com.

Contact:
Gina Kamler
901-597-1380
gina.kamler@servicemaster.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

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Veterans Independence Day: New Tools & Solutions Launched in 12 U.S. Cities to Help Veterans Access Small Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As July 4 approaches, with unemployment rates for some groups of veterans hovering over 18 percent, Furniture Medic, the International Franchise Association (IFA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative will launch new tools and resources June 28, 2012 in 12 cities to help veterans access opportunities in small business ownership and employment including a new free online Veterans Franchise Toolkit and a new Mentor Network to connect veterans to business leaders and jobs.

A Dallas, Texas launch event including IFA, VFW and business leaders will take place June 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at FastSigns located at 7017 John Carpenter Freeway. Contact Stacy Rubenstein at srubenstein@fishmanpr.comor 847-945-1300 to RSVP.

Speaker:Ron Pierce, Furniture Medic owner Wichita Dallas, Texas

The Veterans Franchise (VetFran) Toolkit is designed to foster access to franchise employment and ownership opportunities for U.S. veterans and military spouses. The franchise industry has committed to hiring as team members and recruiting as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses, plus 5,000 wounded warriors. Over 6,200 veterans and spouses have started careers in franchising since the campaign launched last year.

The VetFran Toolkit includes a Franchising 101 online course, a skills and attributes assessment, a finance assessment, and partner links. U.S. military veterans and spouses will also be able to access the VetFran Mentor Network and be connected to franchise business leaders through the Toolkit. The franchise leaders comprising the Mentor Network will share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with veterans in addition to any other professional guidance they are comfortable giving.

The VetFran Mentor Network Advisory Board will lead the volunteer network, including:

Gordon Logan, Founder & CEO, Sport Clips, Inc. (Chairman) (USAF)Melanie Bergeron, Chair of the Board, Two Men & A TruckSean Collins, Vice President, GI Jobs and MilitaryFranchising.com (USN)Jerry Darnell, Darnell & Associates (US Army)Ted Daywalt, President & CEO, VetJobs.com (USN)Chuck Southern, VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationGreg Tanner, National Director of Franchise Sales, Aaron's (US Army)Mary Kennedy Thompson, President & CEO, Mr. Rooter (USMC)Bob Wallace, Executive Director, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (USMC)

Skills testing firm Caliper Corporation, and BoeFly, the online finance marketplace, contributed services at no charge to power the Toolkit.

With its training, structure, systems and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning veterans to become leaders in the civilian economy. According to the U.S. Census, there are over 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. IFA's VetFran strategic initiative was launched in 1991 to help Gulf War veterans transition.

"As we continue to work hard each and every day to extend career opportunities to our nation's veterans, we commend our members who are participating in the VetFran Toolkit launch events and volunteering in the VetFran Mentor Network – they are setting the right example for our industry and our entire nation," said Steve Caldeira, CFE, IFA's President & CEO. "As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that our freedom comes at a price. Now we need to enable our nation's veterans to fulfill their dreams and find career opportunities here at home."

Launch events will also take place in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Miami/South Florida, Minneapolis, Nashville, Norfolk, Austin, San Diego, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.VetFran.com .

About Furniture Medic

Furniture Medic, a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, is one of the world's largest furniture repair and restoration companies and has established a reputation for excellence unmatched in the industry. Our success is rooted in our dedication to providing customers with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality service. Our expertise is unsurpassed and workmanship is guaranteed. For more information about Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedic.com.

Contact:
Gina Kamler
901-597-1380
gina.kamler@servicemaster.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

http://www.cisionwire.com/furniture-medic/r/veterans-independence-day--new-tools---solutions-launched-in-12-u-s--cities-to-help-veterans-access-,c9277136

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View the original article here

Veterans Independence Day: New Tools & Solutions Launched in 12 U.S. Cities to Help Veterans Access Small Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As July 4 approaches, with unemployment rates for some groups of veterans hovering over 18 percent, Furniture Medic, the International Franchise Association (IFA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative will launch new tools and resources June 28, 2012 in 12 cities to help veterans access opportunities in small business ownership and employment including a new free online Veterans Franchise Toolkit and a new Mentor Network to connect veterans to business leaders and jobs.

A Dallas, Texas launch event including IFA, VFW and business leaders will take place June 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at FastSigns located at 7017 John Carpenter Freeway. Contact Stacy Rubenstein at srubenstein@fishmanpr.comor 847-945-1300 to RSVP.

Speaker:Ron Pierce, Furniture Medic owner Wichita Dallas, Texas

The Veterans Franchise (VetFran) Toolkit is designed to foster access to franchise employment and ownership opportunities for U.S. veterans and military spouses. The franchise industry has committed to hiring as team members and recruiting as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses, plus 5,000 wounded warriors. Over 6,200 veterans and spouses have started careers in franchising since the campaign launched last year.

The VetFran Toolkit includes a Franchising 101 online course, a skills and attributes assessment, a finance assessment, and partner links. U.S. military veterans and spouses will also be able to access the VetFran Mentor Network and be connected to franchise business leaders through the Toolkit. The franchise leaders comprising the Mentor Network will share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with veterans in addition to any other professional guidance they are comfortable giving.

The VetFran Mentor Network Advisory Board will lead the volunteer network, including:

Gordon Logan, Founder & CEO, Sport Clips, Inc. (Chairman) (USAF)Melanie Bergeron, Chair of the Board, Two Men & A TruckSean Collins, Vice President, GI Jobs and MilitaryFranchising.com (USN)Jerry Darnell, Darnell & Associates (US Army)Ted Daywalt, President & CEO, VetJobs.com (USN)Chuck Southern, VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationGreg Tanner, National Director of Franchise Sales, Aaron's (US Army)Mary Kennedy Thompson, President & CEO, Mr. Rooter (USMC)Bob Wallace, Executive Director, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (USMC)

Skills testing firm Caliper Corporation, and BoeFly, the online finance marketplace, contributed services at no charge to power the Toolkit.

With its training, structure, systems and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning veterans to become leaders in the civilian economy. According to the U.S. Census, there are over 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. IFA's VetFran strategic initiative was launched in 1991 to help Gulf War veterans transition.

"As we continue to work hard each and every day to extend career opportunities to our nation's veterans, we commend our members who are participating in the VetFran Toolkit launch events and volunteering in the VetFran Mentor Network – they are setting the right example for our industry and our entire nation," said Steve Caldeira, CFE, IFA's President & CEO. "As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that our freedom comes at a price. Now we need to enable our nation's veterans to fulfill their dreams and find career opportunities here at home."

Launch events will also take place in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Miami/South Florida, Minneapolis, Nashville, Norfolk, Austin, San Diego, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.VetFran.com .

About Furniture Medic

Furniture Medic, a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, is one of the world's largest furniture repair and restoration companies and has established a reputation for excellence unmatched in the industry. Our success is rooted in our dedication to providing customers with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality service. Our expertise is unsurpassed and workmanship is guaranteed. For more information about Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedic.com.

Contact:
Gina Kamler
901-597-1380
gina.kamler@servicemaster.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

http://www.cisionwire.com/furniture-medic/r/veterans-independence-day--new-tools---solutions-launched-in-12-u-s--cities-to-help-veterans-access-,c9277136

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© Copyright 2012, GlobeNewswire, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Goldman sees opportunity in European auto stocks - msnbc.com

(Reuters) - European auto stocks are poised to deliver higher returns over the next three years as companies benefit from better management and a growing middle-class consumer base, Goldman Sachs said, adding Volkswagen AG , the world's second-biggest carmaker, to its conviction buy list.

The brokerage, however, lowered its target price on Renault SA , Porsche Automobil Holdings SE and Daimler AG by an average of 3 percent to reflect high market volatility and uncertainty.

The STOXX Europe 600 Automobiles & Parts index <.SXAP> was down about 1 percent at 0800 GMT. Shares of BMW AG , Continental AG , GKN Plc , Peugeot SA and Pirelli & C SPA were all down more than 1 percent.

Goldman, however, maintained its attractive view on the sector, and forecast a 10.8 percent return on invested capital for 2012 through 2014, compared with an average of 6.4 percent over the last decade.

"The process of global economic realignment and the creation of a bulging middle class, particularly in developing economies, will deliver structurally higher average global car sales growth," Goldman wrote in a note to clients.

Volkswagen is best positioned among global car companies with its well-balanced sales footprint and potential for substantial cost savings, the brokerage said.

Goldman also upgraded tire makers Nokian Renkaat Oyj to "buy" and Michelin SCA to "neutral," given recent share price weakness and lower raw material costs.

The brokerage also raised its price targets on Sweden's Volvo AB and Scania AB .

Shares of Nokian fell 6 percent to 28.60 euros by 0735 GMT on Friday. Rheinmetall was down 2 percent, while Fiat was up about 1 percent.

(Reporting by Rachel Chitra; Editing by Tenzin Pema)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Check for restrictions at: http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp

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Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity: Burnaby Girls Sparks Celebrate BMO Team of the Week Title - msnbc.com

BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA — On Saturday, June 23rd, the Burnaby Girls Sparks will celebrate with their community after being recently named this year's 8th BMO Team of the Week, a title that puts them in the running to be named the 2012 BMO Team of the Week Champion.

As part of the prize, BMO will be making a $500 donation to the team's charity of choice; The Sparks have selected KidSport Burnaby, an organization which works to provide young people in Burnaby a chance to experience the countless benefits that participation in organized sports promotes.

"It's thrilling to see a team that is passionate not just about soccer, but about helping the community as well," said Henry Donkers, District Vice-President, Vancouver, BMO Bank of Montreal. "Instead of waiting for presents to come to them, the Sparks spent last Christmas season raising money for the Salvation Army's Adopt-A-Family program. With such commitment, I can think of no better team to receive this honour. Congratulations, Sparks: you deserve it!"

What: Team Celebration and prize distributionWhen: Saturday, June 23, 2012 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Where: BMO Burnaby Main Branch 4789 Kingsway, #100 Burnaby, B.C.

About BMO Team of the Week

BMO Team of the Week is Canada's premier sport celebration at the grassroots level, engaging a nation and inspiring communities by recognizing youth soccer teams who demonstrate team pride, team spirit, community commitment and passion for the game. Fifteen weekly winners will be named BMO Team of the Week starting April 18, and entered for a chance to be voted by Canadians as BMO Team of the Week 2012 Champion. The grand prize includes a $125,000 refurbishment of their community soccer field, a road trip to a Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact FC, or Canadian National Team home game, plus a $5,000 donation to the team's charity of choice.

Internet: www.BMOsoccer.com

© Marketwire 2012

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Where Opportunity Is Found - Research & Analysis on Thomson Reuters Corporation (USA) and Iron Mountain Incorporated - msnbc.com

HONG KONG — This morning, www.MarketFoundations.com announced new reports highlighting Thomson Reuters Corporation (USA) (NYSE: TRI) and Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM). Free research downloads are available at www.MarketFoundations.com/index.php?coa=TRI&cob=IRM.

With markets in correction mode, investors are looking to quantify an accurate model, weighing positives and negatives of the months ahead. Upcoming negative pressures include China's slowdown, the European recession, the end of the Fed's Operation Twist stimulus program, continued geopolitical risks, election uncertainty, and potential 2013 budget bombshell of tax hikes and spending cuts. Meanwhile, positive offsets are driven by central banks (particularly China) cutting rather than hiking rates, deceleration in fuel and food prices, increase in consumer sentiment and resulting retail sales, signs of improvement in housing sales and new strength in auto production schedules.

Despite the current situation, our team continues to identify high momentum situations with growth potential -- there remains strong opportunity within careful discretion.

Market Foundations is releasing new coverage on Thomson Reuters Corporation (USA) for its current position within the technology industry. Thomson Reuters Corporation (Thomson Reuters) is a provider of information for the world's businesses and professionals. The full research report on Thomson Reuters Corporation (USA) (NYSE: TRI) is available here: www.MarketFoundations.com/index.php?coa=TRI.

Market Foundations has released research on Iron Mountain Incorporated for its changing role within the technology industry. Iron Mountain Incorporated (Iron Mountain) provides information management services. The Company offers records management services, data protection and recovery services and information destruction services. It has a diversified customer base consisting of commercial, legal, banking, healthcare, accounting, insurance, entertainment and Government organizations. The full research report on Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM) is available here: www.MarketFoundations.com/index.php?cob=IRM.

About Market Foundations
By providing members with financial information services, we provide the foundation investors need to build investing intelligence. The difference between consistently making good investments or bad investments is nothing more than the right information at the right time.

© Marketwire 2012

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&apos;Solopreneurship&apos; creates business opportunity for experienced Baby Boomers - msnbc.com

The recession hit many generations differently, and the baby boomer generation was no exception when it came to losing jobs or finding it difficult to obtain a new one.

While companies cut their bottom line, many times that meant they also had to cut high level, experienced employees, said Buddy Hobart, founder of Solutions 21. With fewer jobs available and retirement looming, Hobart notices many boomers are changing the way they think about job security, life with one company and retirement plans.

This is where “solopreneurs” come in, Hobart said, the owner of the company that seeks to connect and build budding solopreneurs. These are people with a lot of experience in management and project development who work for a company on a project-by-project basis.

“Employers are in desperate need for experience, but not willing to pay for full freight,” Hobart said. “The recession has made them wary of adding a significant number to their bottom line.”

Instead of paying a six-figure salary to an executive, a business can buy the brain power and experience of what the Harvard Business Review is calling a “supertemp.”

“‘You’re too old or too expensive,’ is what they say,” said Mark Hagan, a local “solopreneur” who recently opened his own consulting firm with clients in Gilbert and Chandler. “It’s a lot harder to find that position that we’re used to finding.”

Instead of staying with one company for the entirety of a career, many people are adapting skills to different jobs and using them in project-based “temp” work, Hobart said.

Linda Capcara, the owner of Global Connect Communications in Chandler, who worked 20 years in technology public relations for companies like Motorola and Intel, found that she was out of a job.

“I got laid off by my last employer,” she said. “Within the first year, I had replaced my salary.”

Rather than try to find a similar job at a similar company, she opened her own firm, hoping to utilize her experience in a more broad sense.

“It’s about the realization that this is the time to do something differently,” Hobart said. “Before, I would go from ‘job A’ to ‘job B’ in the same industry. If I was in banking, I’d try to go find another job in banking. The model moving forward is different.”

Mark Hagan, another Phoenix-based “solopreneur” with clients in Gilbert and Chandler, found that the independence was always something he wanted to do.

Hagan now operates a service that helps to grow businesses by mapping out a long-term business plan and advising them on how to set themselves apart.

“I speak geek,” Hagan said. “I’ve found that a lot of businesses don’t (speak geek) when it means getting into the newest social media and marketing strategies. So many businesses want to leverage their technology, many businesses are using these tools, but they’re not always using them in an effective way.”

With technology such as conference calling, video calling, email, websites and social media, there are a lot of new tools that have little or no expense, which are available to even small business owners, Hagan said.

Admittedly, both Hagan and Capcara are baby boomers, a generation that was hit hard when the economy went into the recession.

Generationally, baby boomers grew up in an era when loyalty to a company was valued by both employers and employees, but when bottom lines became increasingly more important, the payroll was generally where companies made cuts, Hobart said.

It’s a generational thing that leaves boomers at a disadvantage, he said.

“Gen X and Gen Y have always focused on continual development; it almost defines them,” Hobart said. “Gen Y is always asking what’s next. And Gen X has always been enhancing skill sets—taking classes, keeping up on technology. Those generations will develop their skills in a supertemp sort of way.”

And while it may seem counterintuitive that being a solopreneur has more job security than a traditional job, that’s exactly what Hobart described.

Rather than having one employer paying a six-figure salary, a solopreneur might have eight to ten projects throughout the year, each paying roughly $20,000 to $30,000 per project, Hobart said. With that pay grade, a solopreneur could make enough money to cover the loss of employee benefits and still save for retirement.

“I can’t really imagine going back to a corporation,” Capcara said. “I enjoy the diversity of the clients and I’m excited about building the firm. I have plans to make a team—full-time marketing and PR team focused on the technology industry.”

View the original article here

&apos;Solopreneurship&apos; creates business opportunity for experienced Baby Boomers - msnbc.com

The recession hit many generations differently, and the baby boomer generation was no exception when it came to losing jobs or finding it difficult to obtain a new one.

While companies cut their bottom line, many times that meant they also had to cut high level, experienced employees, said Buddy Hobart, founder of Solutions 21. With fewer jobs available and retirement looming, Hobart notices many boomers are changing the way they think about job security, life with one company and retirement plans.

This is where “solopreneurs” come in, Hobart said, the owner of the company that seeks to connect and build budding solopreneurs. These are people with a lot of experience in management and project development who work for a company on a project-by-project basis.

“Employers are in desperate need for experience, but not willing to pay for full freight,” Hobart said. “The recession has made them wary of adding a significant number to their bottom line.”

Instead of paying a six-figure salary to an executive, a business can buy the brain power and experience of what the Harvard Business Review is calling a “supertemp.”

“‘You’re too old or too expensive,’ is what they say,” said Mark Hagan, a local “solopreneur” who recently opened his own consulting firm with clients in Gilbert and Chandler. “It’s a lot harder to find that position that we’re used to finding.”

Instead of staying with one company for the entirety of a career, many people are adapting skills to different jobs and using them in project-based “temp” work, Hobart said.

Linda Capcara, the owner of Global Connect Communications in Chandler, who worked 20 years in technology public relations for companies like Motorola and Intel, found that she was out of a job.

“I got laid off by my last employer,” she said. “Within the first year, I had replaced my salary.”

Rather than try to find a similar job at a similar company, she opened her own firm, hoping to utilize her experience in a more broad sense.

“It’s about the realization that this is the time to do something differently,” Hobart said. “Before, I would go from ‘job A’ to ‘job B’ in the same industry. If I was in banking, I’d try to go find another job in banking. The model moving forward is different.”

Mark Hagan, another Phoenix-based “solopreneur” with clients in Gilbert and Chandler, found that the independence was always something he wanted to do.

Hagan now operates a service that helps to grow businesses by mapping out a long-term business plan and advising them on how to set themselves apart.

“I speak geek,” Hagan said. “I’ve found that a lot of businesses don’t (speak geek) when it means getting into the newest social media and marketing strategies. So many businesses want to leverage their technology, many businesses are using these tools, but they’re not always using them in an effective way.”

With technology such as conference calling, video calling, email, websites and social media, there are a lot of new tools that have little or no expense, which are available to even small business owners, Hagan said.

Admittedly, both Hagan and Capcara are baby boomers, a generation that was hit hard when the economy went into the recession.

Generationally, baby boomers grew up in an era when loyalty to a company was valued by both employers and employees, but when bottom lines became increasingly more important, the payroll was generally where companies made cuts, Hobart said.

It’s a generational thing that leaves boomers at a disadvantage, he said.

“Gen X and Gen Y have always focused on continual development; it almost defines them,” Hobart said. “Gen Y is always asking what’s next. And Gen X has always been enhancing skill sets—taking classes, keeping up on technology. Those generations will develop their skills in a supertemp sort of way.”

And while it may seem counterintuitive that being a solopreneur has more job security than a traditional job, that’s exactly what Hobart described.

Rather than having one employer paying a six-figure salary, a solopreneur might have eight to ten projects throughout the year, each paying roughly $20,000 to $30,000 per project, Hobart said. With that pay grade, a solopreneur could make enough money to cover the loss of employee benefits and still save for retirement.

“I can’t really imagine going back to a corporation,” Capcara said. “I enjoy the diversity of the clients and I’m excited about building the firm. I have plans to make a team—full-time marketing and PR team focused on the technology industry.”

View the original article here

Media Advisory: Shipbuilding Summit to Showcase Jobs and Growth Opportunities for Businesses - msnbc.com

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — On Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012, the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification will officially open the Western Canadian Shipbuilding Summit, hosted by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Seaspan Marine Corporation. The Summit will provide western Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises an opportunity to connect with new business opportunities in Canada's shipbuilding industry.

Date: May 23rd, 2012 Time: 8:30 a.m. Location: Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside 1133 West Hastings Street Vancouver, British Columbia

(i)Please note that parking is limited for this event.

(i)Media must be accredited to attend the Summit. Please RSVP to ken.chow@wd-deo.gc.ca in advance and arrive by 8:00 a.m. to register in person.

© Marketwire 2012

View the original article here

Perception, Opportunity in Volatility - Research & Analysis on Gilead Sciences, Inc. and International Business Machines Corp. - msnbc.com

HONG KONG — This morning, www.MarketFoundations.com announced new reports highlighting Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) and International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM). Free research downloads are available at www.MarketFoundations.com/index.php?coa=GILD&cob=IBM.

With markets in correction mode, investors are looking to quantify an accurate model, weighing positives and negatives of the months ahead. Upcoming negative pressures include China's slowdown, the European recession, the end of the Fed's Operation Twist stimulus program, continued geopolitical risks, election uncertainty, and potential 2013 budget bombshell of tax hikes and spending cuts. Meanwhile, positive offsets are driven by central banks (particularly China) cutting rather than hiking rates, deceleration in fuel and food prices, increase in consumer sentiment and resulting retail sales, signs of improvement in housing sales and new strength in auto production schedules.

Despite the current situation, our team continues to identify high momentum situations with growth potential -- there remains strong opportunity within careful discretion.

Market Foundations is releasing new coverage on Gilead Sciences, Inc. for its current position within the healthcare industry. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead) is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes medicines. Gilead's primary areas of focus include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS, liver diseases, such as hepatitis B and C and cardiovascular/metabolic and respiratory conditions. The full research report on Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) is available here: www.MarketFoundations.com/index.php?coa=GILD.

Market Foundations has released research on International Business Machines Corp. for its changing role within the technology industry. International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is an information technology (IT) company. IBM's segments include Global Technology Services (GTS), Global Business Services (GBS), Software, Systems and Technology and Global Financing. GTS primarily provides IT infrastructure services and business process services. The full research report on International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) is available here: www.MarketFoundations.com/index.php?cob=IBM.

About Market Foundations
By providing members with financial information services, we provide the foundation investors need to build investing intelligence. The difference between consistently making good investments or bad investments is nothing more than the right information at the right time.

© Marketwire 2012

View the original article here

Haley: Grand Strand means business opportunities - msnbc.com

Charleston — MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.- Gov. Nikki Haley says while the Grand Strand is great for tourism, it also provides business opportunities for investors. Haley made the comments Monday during a business conference with Canadian business leaders in Myrtle Beach. Haley said the conference highlights Myrtle Beach as a...

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View the original article here

Media Advisory: Shipbuilding Summit to Showcase Jobs and Growth Opportunities for Businesses - msnbc.com

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — On Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012, the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification will officially open the Western Canadian Shipbuilding Summit, hosted by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Seaspan Marine Corporation. The Summit will provide western Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises an opportunity to connect with new business opportunities in Canada's shipbuilding industry.

Date: May 23rd, 2012 Time: 8:30 a.m. Location: Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside 1133 West Hastings Street Vancouver, British Columbia

(i)Please note that parking is limited for this event.

(i)Media must be accredited to attend the Summit. Please RSVP to ken.chow@wd-deo.gc.ca in advance and arrive by 8:00 a.m. to register in person.

© Marketwire 2012

View the original article here

Western Canadian Shipbuilding Summit to Provide Opportunities for Businesses Across Western Canada - msnbc.com

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — More than 400 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be connecting with new business opportunities being generated at the Western Canadian Shipbuilding Summit, to take place in Vancouver on May 23, 2012.

"Western Canada's Shipbuilding Action Plan is focussed on creating jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity in the West," said the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. "Events like the upcoming Shipbuilding Summit are crucial in helping western Canadian businesses showcase their expertise and continue to grow."

The Summit is being hosted by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Seaspan Marine Corporation, and will provide western Canadian SMEs an opportunity to meet with Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd. and Irving Shipyards, who were selected to construct the non-combat and combat work packages respectively under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS).

Economic Action Plan 2012 highlighted Western Canada's Shipbuilding Action Plan, which will help western SMEs take advantage of the business opportunities presented by the NSPS. This event allows western SMEs to make valuable business connections in the shipbuilding industry and learn about specific shipbuilding projects.

For more information on the Western Canadian Shipbuilding Summit please visit WD's web site at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.

Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD

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A stronger West. A stronger Canada

© Marketwire 2012

View the original article here

Big Data Equals Big Business Opportunity Say Global IT and Business Professionals - msnbc.com

INFORMATICA WORLD, LAS VEGAS, Nevada, May 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- By a greater than two-to-one margin, organizations today view big data primarily as a business opportunity rather than an IT challenge and are moving quickly to do something about it, according to a recent global survey of almost 600 IT and business professionals conducted by Informatica Corporation (NASDAQ: INFA), the world's number one independent provider of data integration software.

Designed to assess the state of big data projects and understand big data strategies, the survey reveals an aggressive move on the part of organizations to master big data for business advantage, with the majority of enterprises, nearly 70 percent, now considering (44 percent), planning (22 percent), testing (13 percent) or running (20 percent) big data projects.

The complete survey report entitled, Balancing Opportunity and Risk in Big Data, is available for download.

The Multiple Facets of Big Data

The new survey reveals the diversity of big data and its breadth of opportunities and challenges. When asked which aspects of big data are relevant to their organization, most respondents cite the management of growing transaction volumes (74 percent), indicating there are still significant challenges even in the more traditional enterprise data realm. But also of relevance are new technologies such as Hadoop and NoSQL (46 percent) for efficiently processing big data. Meanwhile, the management of big interaction data - including social media data (35 percent), mobile device data (31 percent) and machine-generated data (22 percent) - is very much rising in relevance due to the insights, efficiencies and customer engagement these new data types can help drive.

Many Eyes on Many Prizes

What do organizations intend to get from their big data efforts? A wide variety of benefits, according to survey respondents. Improving efficiency in business operations by doing more things with more data is the number one business driver (71 percent). This is followed by increasing business agility (51 percent).

But also important is introducing new products and services (50 percent) and attracting and retaining customers (49 percent), as well as enhancing analytics (47 percent), and lowering IT costs through technologies such as Hadoop (38 percent).

Big Data Challenges

Lack of maturity in big data tools is the top challenge (52 percent) that respondents face in big data projects, including a lack of support for reuse and metadata in current Hadoop environments. Lack of support for real-time streaming data is another key challenge (39 percent), followed by concerns over poor data quality (38 percent), data security and privacy (38 percent) and the limited availability of skilled developers to manage big data (35 percent). Other top concerns are overly difficult development for Hadoop (34 percent), and lack of data governance capabilities (32 percent).

"The reality is, big data represents both opportunities and challenges, but those key challenges identified by our survey respondents are set to diminish with the advances introduced in the newest version of the Informatica Platform, Informatica 9.5," said Girish Pancha, chief products officer, Informatica. "Engineered expressly to help organizations maximize their return on big data, Informatica 9.5 will accelerate the 'mainstreaming' of new technologies such as Hadoop, enable existing skill sets to be leveraged for big data projects, and enable organizations to realize the promise of big data while maximizing the data's value and reducing its costs."

Tweet this:New @InformaticaCorp #bigdata surveyhttp://bit.ly/Lh2aTI: 70% of Organizations Considering, Planning or Running Big Data Projects

About Informatica

Informatica Corporation (NASDAQ: INFA) is the world's number one independent provider of data integration software. Organizations around the world rely on Informatica for maximizing return on data to drive their top business imperatives. Worldwide, nearly 5,000 enterprises depend on Informatica to fully leverage their information assets residing on-premise, in the Cloud and across social networks. For more information, call +1 650-385-5000 (1-800-653-3871 in the U.S.), or visit www.informatica.com . Connect with Informatica at http://www.facebook.com/InformaticaCorporation , http://www.linkedin.com/company/informatica and http://twitter.com/InformaticaCorp .

###

Note: Informatica, Informatica Platform, Informatica 9.5 and PowerCenter are trademarks or registered trademarks of Informatica Corporation in the United States and in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other company and product names may be trade names or trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Deborah Wiltshire Informatica Corporation +1 650 385 5360 mobile/+1 650 862 8186 dwiltshire@informatica.com Shira Frantzich Informatica Corporation +1 650 385 5674 sfrantzich@informatica.com

© Copyright 2012, GlobeNewswire, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Minister Yelich Connects Small and Medium Enterprises with New Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN — Today, the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, provided opening remarks at the Saskatchewan Aerospace and Defence Opportunities Forum to demonstrate the Harper Government's continuing support for Western Canada's dynamic and growing aerospace, defence and shipbuilding sectors.

"Our Government is committed to supporting small and medium-sized businesses by connecting them with opportunities for reaching new markets throughout Western Canada," said Minister Yelich. "Our Shipbuilding Action Plan is just one of the many ways we are creating jobs and economic growth in the West."

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Enterprise Saskatchewan partnered to host this event to provide comprehensive details on the Government's Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) policy.The forum also allowed Saskatchewan small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to network with companies that have IRB obligations and establish valuable business connections in the aerospace, defence and shipbuilding sectors.

Since 2006, WD has made significant investments in projects and initiatives that support Western Canada's aerospace, defence and, shipbuilding industries. These investments have resulted in exciting new opportunities across the West and are creating jobs, providing training and research benefits to industry professionals, and improving the productivity and safety of technology and equipment in these sectors.

IRBs consist of contracts awarded to Canadian businesses and investments made in high-technology sectors of the Canadian economy by successful bidders on federal defence and shipbuilding projects.

The Harper Government's $33 billion National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy is expected to create thousands of high-value jobs and will provide three decades of stability for shipbuilders across the country. Economic Action Plan 2012 highlighted Western Canada's Shipbuilding Action Plan, which will support western businesses in taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the Strategy.

Over the coming months, WD will be hosting several events to highlight how companies can take advantage of industrial opportunities. For more information about these upcoming supplier development events, or to register online, please visit www.wd-deo.gc.ca.

Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and advances the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.

For Broadcast Use:

Western Canada's dynamic and growing aerospace, defence and shipbuilding sectors were in the spotlight today at the Saskatchewan Aerospace and Defence Opportunities Forum. The event was co-hosted by WD and Enterprise Saskatchewan and allowed Saskatchewan businesses to network with companies such as Seaspan Marine to discuss key opportunities.

Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD

Follow us on Twitter

A stronger West. A stronger Canada

© Marketwire 2012

View the original article here

Minister Yelich Connects Small and Medium Enterprises with New Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN — Today, the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, provided opening remarks at the Saskatchewan Aerospace and Defence Opportunities Forum to demonstrate the Harper Government's continuing support for Western Canada's dynamic and growing aerospace, defence and shipbuilding sectors.

"Our Government is committed to supporting small and medium-sized businesses by connecting them with opportunities for reaching new markets throughout Western Canada," said Minister Yelich. "Our Shipbuilding Action Plan is just one of the many ways we are creating jobs and economic growth in the West."

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Enterprise Saskatchewan partnered to host this event to provide comprehensive details on the Government's Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) policy.The forum also allowed Saskatchewan small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to network with companies that have IRB obligations and establish valuable business connections in the aerospace, defence and shipbuilding sectors.

Since 2006, WD has made significant investments in projects and initiatives that support Western Canada's aerospace, defence and, shipbuilding industries. These investments have resulted in exciting new opportunities across the West and are creating jobs, providing training and research benefits to industry professionals, and improving the productivity and safety of technology and equipment in these sectors.

IRBs consist of contracts awarded to Canadian businesses and investments made in high-technology sectors of the Canadian economy by successful bidders on federal defence and shipbuilding projects.

The Harper Government's $33 billion National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy is expected to create thousands of high-value jobs and will provide three decades of stability for shipbuilders across the country. Economic Action Plan 2012 highlighted Western Canada's Shipbuilding Action Plan, which will support western businesses in taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the Strategy.

Over the coming months, WD will be hosting several events to highlight how companies can take advantage of industrial opportunities. For more information about these upcoming supplier development events, or to register online, please visit www.wd-deo.gc.ca.

Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and advances the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.

For Broadcast Use:

Western Canada's dynamic and growing aerospace, defence and shipbuilding sectors were in the spotlight today at the Saskatchewan Aerospace and Defence Opportunities Forum. The event was co-hosted by WD and Enterprise Saskatchewan and allowed Saskatchewan businesses to network with companies such as Seaspan Marine to discuss key opportunities.

Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD

Follow us on Twitter

A stronger West. A stronger Canada

© Marketwire 2012

View the original article here