Atlantic Canadian food exporters participate in Americas Food & Beverage Show and Conference

Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and provincial industry ministers from Atlantic Canada, including Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development, today announced an investment of $96,300 in The Americas Food & Beverage Show and Conference taking place December 3-4, 2003 in Miami, Florida.

This investment is through the Canada/Atlantic Provinces COOPERATION Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA). There are a total of 17 companies from Atlantic Canada participating in this event.

The Americas Food & Beverage Show and Conference enables participants to meet with international buyers and to gain further market knowledge of the industry.

"Though this partnership agreement, ACOA continues to invest in activities that enable Atlantic Canadian exporters to develop strategic alliances and increase sales in targeted markets," said Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for ACOA. "Events like the Americas Food & Beverage Show help generate interest and awareness in the agri-food and seafood industries of Atlantic Canada."

"Trade shows such as the Americas Food & Beverage Show help bring Newfoundland and Labrador products and services to the world and support the creation of new business opportunities for our companies," said Minister Dunderdale.

Participants will showcase their products at an Atlantic Canadian Pavilion and will have the opportunity to meet with potential buyers from South Florida, the Caribbean and Latin America.

In 2002, exhibitors at the Americas Food & Beverage Show reported more than $153 million in direct sales, with $848 million anticipated over the following 12-month period. Buyers from 77 countries attended the event, with 58 per cent of those buyers making on-site purchasing decisions.

The IBDA is designed to increase exporting in Atlantic Canada by funding projects that help small- and medium-sized companies explore, enter and succeed in international markets.

Partners in the agreement include the Government of Canada � represented by ACOA, Industry Canada and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade � and the governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.

Belle Baie Products Ltd. (Caraquet)
Cavendish Farms (Dieppe)
Crosby Molasses Co. Ltd. (Saint John)
Fancy Pokket Corporation (Moncton)
La Maison Beausoleil Inc. (N�guac)
Lantic Sugar Limited (Saint John)
McCain International Inc. (Florenceville)
Ocean Pier Inc. (Scoudouc)
Trico Marketing Inc. (Allison)

Rodrigues Winery (Whitbourne)

ACA Co-operative Limited (Kentville)
Canadian Agricultural Export Incorporated (Port Williams)
Lockeport Golden Smokehouses Limited (Lockeport)
Mr. Donair Ltd. (Halifax)

P.E.I. Mussel King Inc. (Morell)
P.E.I. Potato Board (Charlottetown)
P.E.I. Seafood Processors Association (Charlottetown)

For more information please contact:

Rachel Patenaude
Office of the Minister of State for ACOA
(613) 941-7241

Shauna MacNeil
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(506) 851-6403

Tracy Kenney
Industry, Trade and Rural Development
(709) 729-2257

Canada/Atlantic Provinces COOPERATION Agreement on International Business Development //acoa-apeca.gc.ca/ibda

Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference //www.americasfoodandbeverage.com/

2003 12 04                                         2:20 p.m.