Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced funding for Alberta’s high-tech sector that will promote innovation and help bring new products to market. The investment in the Alberta Centre for Advanced Microsystems and Nanotechnology Products (ACAMP) will help promote growth and increase opportunities for Western Canadian firms. He was joined at the announcement by Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification), and Mike Lake, Member of Parliament for Edmonton – Mill Woods – Beaumont and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry. “Microsystems and nanotechnology make possible products that are smaller, faster, stronger and less expensive than ever before,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Our Government’s support will help bring new ideas from the lab to the marketplace while supporting small businesses and helping to create high-tech jobs.” The Government will provide support to ACAMP, a not-for-profit organization that provides specialized business services to microsystems and nanotechnology (MNT) clients. The investment will help the organization acquire and install new equipment needed for growth, as well as extend its marketing and business development, product development, and packaging and assembly services. Nanotechnology deals with matter at the molecular or atomic level, and involves the development of technologies within that size and scale. The worldwide market for products incorporating these technologies is expected to exceed $3 trillion by 2015. The investment announced today will help Western Canadian firms compete for a larger share of that market. (Source: PMO News Release)