NLIS 7
April 6, 2000
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

Premier announces participation in Team Canada Atlantic mission to New England

Premier Brian Tobin announced today that 10 provincial companies are participating on the Team Canada Atlantic Trade Mission to New England this spring. The purpose of the trade mission is to establish new business partnerships, increase trade and investment and build strategic alliances between businesses in Atlantic Canada and companies located in the New England region.

The 10 companies from Newfoundland and Labrador participating on the trade mission include: Breakwater/Softwaves, Cabot Caprine Cooperative Society Ltd., Entertainment Unlimited, Islander Fibreglass, Media Touch Technologies, Newfoundland Aggregates (1991) Ltd., Northstar Technical Inc., Rodrigues Winery, True North Springs and Universal Helicopters Newfoundland Ltd.

This is the second year that Newfoundland and Labrador is participating in an Atlantic provinces trade mission to New England. Last year, the mission provided the companies with an opportunity to explore the market, gather business information, and make new contacts. Most of the companies that participated in 1999 indicated that they made valuable contacts and are continuing to explore specific business opportunities.

"The New England mission presents an ideal opportunity to strengthen our business relationship with one of our province�s traditional trading partners. Again this year, we have a strong delegation of local companies representing a variety of sectors in our province," said Premier Tobin. "This trade mission fits in well with our province�s New England Trade and Investment Strategy, and I look forward to seeing the benefits that it will have for our businesses."

Premier Tobin will be joined by Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm, New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord and Prince Edward Island Premier Pat Binns. Prime Minister Jean Chretien has accepted an invitation to join the four premiers and 40 companies from Atlantic Canada as they travel to New England. The Prime Minister will be accompanied by the International Trade Minister Pierre S. Pettigrew.

The Team Canada Atlantic mission is an initiative of the Conference of Atlantic Premiers in cooperation with the Alliance of Manufacturers and Exporters. The trade mission is being funded by the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). The four-day mission will begin in Boston, Massachusetts on May 8 and will move to Providence, Rhode Island and New Haven, Connecticut before wrapping up in Braintree, Massachusetts on May 11.

Media contact: Jacqueline Simon, Communications, (709)-729-0050.

2000 04 06                                                                3:50 p.m.