NLIS 6
May 11, 2001
(Executive Council)

Premier Grimes to lead trade mission to Atlanta

Premier Roger Grimes will head a delegation of 10 Newfoundland and Labrador companies that are participating next week in Team Canada Atlantic's trade mission to Atlanta, Georgia - the first trade mission to the Southern United States.

"This is an excellent opportunity for the participating companies to investigate the promising business opportunities in that region and establish business relationships that can lead to new markets for our goods and services," Premier Grimes said.

"The May 13-17 trade mission is another step in our long-term strategy to increase our export trade to the United States and build on the success we've already achieved as a result of trade missions to the New England area," he said.

Deputy premier Beaton Tulk, Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development, will also participate in the mission. "Assisting companies enter and succeed in new markets helps in the longer term to increase our exports and contribute to the overall growth of the province's economy," Mr. Tulk said.

Newfoundland and Labrador companies participating are Atlantic Communications Enterprises Limited, St. John's; Briggs Aero Ltd., Gander; CHC Composites Inc., Gander; Exploits Centre for Information Technology Excellence, Grand Falls-Windsor; Northstar Network Limited, St. John's; PNI Corporation, St. John's; Rodrigues Winery, Markland; Systems �N' Solutions Limited, St. John's; The SGE Group Inc., Clarenville; and Telelink, The Call Centre Inc., St. John's. Business profiles of the companies are available at www.teamcanadaatlantic.com/
Meetings with Atlanta-based companies have been arranged for each of the companies participating. In addition to these companies, Vector Aerospace and Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association will also be in Atlanta to participate in select events and activities. 

Two major sponsors for this mission are Nati, the technology industry association for Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Wireless Vision Congress, an international congress to take place in St. John's in September to discuss the future impact of wireless technologies in such areas as health care, education and the economy. Representatives of both sponsors will be in Atlanta, particularly for the "First Tuesday Atlanta" event on May 15.

"First Tuesday" refers to international networking events held monthly in 110 cities in 46 countries. It brings together leading technology investors, entrepreneurs and other professionals. Organizers of the "First Tuesday" event in Atlanta next week are focusing on this occasion as an opportunity for its more than 300 members to learn about companies participating in the Team Canada Atlantic mission, as well as about Atlantic Canada. More information is available at www.atlantafirsttuesday.com and at www.GoAtlanticIT.com

Newfoundland and Labrador's exports to Georgia have increased in recent years, rising to $4 million in 1999 from over $1 million in 1997. Chief exports have included frozen crab, other fishery products and lumber. The Atlanta mission is geared towards established export ready companies that have not yet tapped their export potential in the Southern United States.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien is scheduled to join the trade mission delegation of about 40 Atlantic Canadian companies and four Atlantic premiers. International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew, Industry Canada Minister Brian Tobin, and Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Robert Thibault are also scheduled to participate. 

The trade mission is being organized by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Provinces, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Industry Canada, and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.

The Southern United States has been the fastest growing market in the United States over the past six years. In 1999, Canada's exports to the region exceeded $22 billion � about three times Canada's exports to Japan. Atlanta, Georgia is the economic hub of the region.

Media contact: 
Carl Cooper, Office of the Premier (709) 729-3564
Josephine Cheeseman, Industry, Trade and Rural Development (709) 729-4570

2001 05 11                                             3:50 p.m.