NLIS 5
May 9, 2000
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

Premier highlights successful beginning for Team Canada Atlantic Mission to New England

The Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to New England officially began yesterday morning in Boston at a breakfast for approximately 130 Atlantic Canadian businesses. The breakfast was followed by a Team Canada Atlantic Forum, which gave company participants the opportunity to ask questions to Prime Minister Jean Chr�tien, International Trade Minister Pierre S. Pettigrew and the four Atlantic Canadian premiers.

During the four day trade mission, the Newfoundland and Labrador delegation plans to meet with about 100 New England-based businesses, with the hopes of establishing business partnerships and generating sales with companies in the New England area.

Several other local businesses were also participating in the Boston segment of the mission with the Prime Minister, in addition to the delegates which are attending the full mission.

At the kick-off breakfast yesterday, Premier Tobin, as well as the other Atlantic premiers and International Trade Minister Pierre S. Pettigrew, addressed the Atlantic Canadian delegation of businesses. Today, Premier Tobin, along with Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Almond, will speak to the Commodores Club in Providence, a group focussed on stimulating economic enterprise within Rhode Island.

"The Atlantic provinces, and Newfoundland and Labrador in particular, have enjoyed significant historical ties with New England that date back several hundred years," said Premier Tobin. "We are here now to build on those historical links by strengthening our business ties, and creating stronger partnerships. The Team Canada Atlantic Trade Mission creates the right kind of business environment to make successful contacts and deals."

During the day, there was also a business luncheon, which was hosted by the Prime Minister. More than 450 businesses from across Atlantic Canada and New England attended the luncheon, which was intended as a forum for networking between the two groups. There was also an investment roundtable with the Prime Minister, the four Atlantic premiers, U.S. site selectors and CEOs from the area. Newfoundland and Labrador�s Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs, Walter Noel, is also participating in the mission.

The morning�s agenda included a venture capital forum with International Trade Minister Pierre S. Pettigrew, Industry, Trade and Technology Minister Sandra C. Kelly, other Atlantic Canadian ministers, Michael Horgan (president of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and Boston-based venture capital firms. The intention of the forum was to provide a better understanding of the role venture capital plays in building entrepreneurship in the new economy.

Last year, Newfoundland and Labrador exported more than $740 million worth of goods and services to New England. This represents just a few industries, such as refined petroleum products, forestry products and fish products, and the New England trade mission is focussed on increasing trade in other key sectors.

The Team Canada Atlantic mission is an initiative of the Council 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 began in Boston, Massachusetts yesterday and is now in Providence, Rhode Island. It will then move on to New Haven, Connecticut before wrapping up in Braintree, Massachusetts on May 11.

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

2000 05 09                        4:55 p.m.