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NLIS 3 March 18, 2004 (Innovation, Trade and Rural Development) Team Canada Atlantic continues to foster relationships in Washington, D.C. A delegation of close to 30 Atlantic Canadian companies will participate in the second Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to Washington D.C. from April 25-29. The first Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to Washington took place November 2-6, 2003. During that mission, companies met with more than 200 businesses and organizations. Long-term sales from the first Washington, D.C. mission are expected to reach more than $32 million. "Trade missions are an essential component to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency�s overall trade and investment strategy," said Joseph McGuire, Minister for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "Trade missions enable Atlantic Canadian companies to break into new markets, foster relationships and increase their export capacity. Companies from Atlantic Canada who were on the first mission to Washington will follow-up on business leads, while new exporters will meet with potential partners." "Newfoundland and Labrador�s economic growth and future prosperity rely on growing our business sector and on strengthening and expanding trade. Initiatives like Team Canada Atlantic help us to do just that," said Innovation, Trade and Rural Development Minister Kathy Dunderdale. "Based on the results of the last mission, we expect the participating companies in the upcoming trade mission to Washington D.C. will also achieve success." During the follow-up mission to Washington, Atlantic Canadian companies will meet with potential buyers, distributors and business partners as well as industry leaders in a variety of target sectors including information and communications technology, biotechnology, consumer products, value-added food products and building and construction products. Since the Team Canada Atlantic program began in 1999, there has been a total of eight trade missions to the United States. The missions have enabled more than 300 Atlantic Canadian firms to meet with over 2,300 U.S. buyers, agents and business owners from across the United States, helping to generate $20 million in short-term sales and more than $115 million in long-term sales. Team Canada Atlantic partners include: ACOA; the Atlantic Canada Trade and Convention Center; the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Agriculture and Agri-food Canada; Industry Canada; and the governments of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. FOR BROADCAST USE ONLY: Companies from Atlantic Canada are returning to Washington D.C. in April to follow-up on business leads generated by the Team Canada Atlantic trade mission held last November. From April 25-29, companies taking part in the Washington trade mission will meet with potential buyers, distributors and business partners in a number of sectors. These include: information and communications technology; biotechnology; consumer products; value-added food products and building and construction products. During the first mission to Washington, D.C., representatives from Atlantic Canadian companies met with more than 200 businesses and organizations. Long-term sales from that mission are expected to reach more than $32 million. Media contacts: Stephen Heckbert Shauna MacNeil Lynn Evans |
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