P.E.I. immigrants seek rural business investments

Recent immigrants to P.E.I. were given a tour of the Island's North Shore Thursday to see what businesses they could invest in.

The tour was hosted by the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce and Ali Siadat was one of the 18 immigrants that took part.

Siadat recently moved to P.E.I. from Iran.

"Like other new immigrants,I'm looking for a better life here and the first thing I need to make a good life is a job and a business here," he said.

The new residents came to P.E.I. through the Provincial Nominee Program.

A condition of the program is they must buy, start or invest in a business within two years.

Seeking opportunities

"Our clients are all looking for opportunities and we're very well aware that Islanders have those opportunities," said PEI Connectors Program director Nicole Bellefleur.

"The goal today is to connect the people who are looking for these opportunities with the people who have them."

The tour included visits to 14 businesses, including Black Magic Mini Golf.

Owner Bart Bourne is ready to retire and sell his business.

"I think it's very clever. To see it live will make it a lot easier for them to make a decision," he said.

Tourism Minister Heath MacDonald said we can learn a lot from immigrants.

"It brings a new dynamic to most industries they get involved in..." he said.

"Any time you have new ideas and new people involved in our business community, I think it's a win-win for P.E.I. and the communities that they're willing to invest in."