Nine companies participating in trade mission to Atlanta 

Nine Newfoundland and Labrador companies are participating in Team Canada Atlantic's second trade mission to Atlanta, Georgia this year from November 13-15. 

"The Atlanta mission is geared towards established export ready companies that have not yet tapped their export potential in the southern United States," said Industry, Trade and Rural Development Minister Beaton Tulk. "There is a significant market in this region for Newfoundland and Labrador products and services. Trade missions like this one give our companies the opportunity to capture business there."

Some of the companies participating in this mission also participated in the first trade mission to Atlanta last May. It is intended to help companies establish new business contacts and build on the relationships and business contacts established during the first mission.

"This 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. Giving greater attention to trade and export development as a means of creating new jobs and diversifying our economy is a government priority for action in our Jobs and Growth Renewal Strategy," Minister Tulk said. 

The Newfoundland and Labrador companies participating are: Atlantic Communications Enterprises Limited, St. John's; Exploits Centre for Information Technology Excellence, Grand Falls-Windsor; IDON EAST Corporation, St. John's; RADAC Group Inc., St. John's; Spiderwise Incorporated, St. John's; Flynn's Winery and Distillery, Shoal Harbour; TNB Labratories Inc., St. John's; Infotech Canada, St. John's; and Telelink, The Call Centre Inc., St. John's. Business profiles of the companies are available at www.teamcanadaatlantic.com/.

The program for the trade mission includes three days of business meetings and networking events. A highlight will be A Taste of Atlantic Canada food promotion event which is designed to promote Atlantic Canadian hospitality and food products. Two Newfoundland and Labrador food companies -- Flynn's Winery, Shoal Harbour; and New Found Foods, St. John's � will promote their products at this event.

The total value of immediate short-term sales for the provincial companies who participated in the Team Canada Atlantic trade mission in May is $55,000. Anticipated revenue over the next two years is expected at $4.7 million. Five new distributors were obtained, eight partnerships were established, two new jobs were immediately created and 61 additional new jobs are expected to be created as a result of the mission.

The goal of the Atlanta Trade Mission is to create new business partnerships, increase trade and investment and build strategic alliances between Atlantic Canadian and southeast United States companies.

Team Canada Atlantic's trade mission to Atlanta is organized by ACOA, the four Atlantic provinces, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Industry Canada and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. 

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications, (709) 729-4570.

2001 11 08                            11:25 a.m.