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NLIS 2 May 24, 2002 (Industry, Trade and Rural Development) Team Canada Atlantic first mission to New York ends on high note Team Canada Atlantic�s first trade mission to New York ended on a high note, having managed to arrange more than 300 meetings with representatives from corporate America for 36 delegate and 11 associate companies from across the Atlantic provinces. "New York is a city that was built on vision, optimism, leadership and gritty determination," said Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency who, along with the four Atlantic premiers, led the mission. "Frankly, so is Atlantic Canada. That�s the message we came down to send. And our companies came down to demonstrate that these are not empty words. The response has been very warm, very supportive. I am absolutely convinced that new and exciting business opportunities will emerge from this mission." Indeed, the indications are encouraging. With a population of 21 million, metropolitan New York is the largest urban centre in the United States. It is also one of the business and financial capitals of the world with 97 of the Fortune 500 corporations headquartered there. Premier Roger Grimes said the combined resources of the federal and provincial governments "assist our companies in gaining access to export markets. By providing them with an opportunity to make valuable new business contacts that they might not otherwise have done, government helps the companies increase their export trade and create new jobs at home." Participants from the Atlantic region during this three-day event (May 20-23) represented a broad spectrum of industrial sectors and business specialities, from information technology and software design and development, to agrifoods, manufacturing, and consumer and industrial products. And, by several accounts, they were encouraged by what they saw and heard. TNB Laboratories Inc. of St. John�s is one of them. "In the first two days alone, the mission was more productive than we expected and as rewarding as we had hoped," says Dr. Charles Ladoulis, chief scientific officer with the company. "The success so far is a testament to the effects of the collaboration between the provincial government, ACOA, our matchmaking firm MAI International, the Canadian Consulate staff, our academic colleagues at Memorial University and our company staff. The logistical support provided by the federal and provincial agencies enables us to focus on our mission and goals with maximum efficiency and minimal delays." Dr. Ladoulis said he expects this mission to be even more successful for his company than their last mission, one to Atlanta, Georgia, "which was already one of the highlights of last year�s achievements of TNB Laboratories marketing efforts." In general, the matchmaking sessions � many with bluechip American businesses, such as Novell, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Price Waterhouse, Genuity and Pfizer � assumed one or more of three separate goals: to prepare the foundation for sales of Atlantic goods and services; to explore joint venture and partnership opportunities; and to introduce Atlantic business capabilities and resources to potential U.S. customers and clients. One highlight of the visit was a tour of New York�s Fulton�s Fish Market, in which 19 Team Atlantic representatives were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the famous commercial landmark. Other activities in an otherwise jam-packed agenda included the Taste of Atlantic Canada buffet, a sumptuous spread of the finest that the region has to offer in food products and preparation, federal and provincial meetings with New York site selectors, and roundtables on energy development and innovation and technology in Atlantic Canada. The Team Canada Atlantic mission to New York City was a cooperative effort between ACOA, the four Atlantic provinces, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Industry Canada, and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. Further information is available on the Team Canada Atlantic Web site at: //www.teamcanadaatlantic.com Media contacts:
2002 05 24 10:00 a.m. |
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