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NLIS 3 April 27, 2004 (Innovation, Trade and Rural Development) Team Canada Atlantic meets with industry leaders in Washington, D.C. Team Canada Atlantic wrapped up a busy first day of meetings during its second official trade mission to the Washington, D.C., area in six months. "We�ve made tremendous contacts," said Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "Industry leaders in the Washington area are genuinely interested in what Atlantic Canada has to offer in the way of goods, services, expertise, and partnering opportunities. It�s clear from the feedback we�ve received that this is a market that holds great potential for export-oriented businesses in Atlantic Canada." "This has been a productive day for the Newfoundland and Labrador mission," said Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "Companies with our mission represent a range of industries from biotechnology and information technology to food and construction materials. From their meetings today with local businesses and those planned for the rest of the week, we believe that the Washington area holds great potential as a market for Newfoundland and Labrador products and services." During this first day, representatives from 27 Atlantic Canadian companies and business organizations conducted meetings with potential agents, brokers, distributors, and strategic partners in Washington. Concurrently, federal and provincial government representatives participated in a morning roundtable on international financial institutions with the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank, followed by a fact-finding luncheon with a selection of high-growth companies from the area. The morning meeting with the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank provided valuable insights into how institutions and organizations support domestic and foreign economic development. The afternoon session, hosted by the Canadian Embassy, offered federal and provincial officials the opportunity to discuss growth strategies in the competitive, knowledge-based, global economy with Washington area business leaders. At an evening event, organized by the Greater Washington Initiative, the Team Canada Atlantic delegation joined more than 75 representatives of Washington-area companies, organizations, and government for an extensive networking and information-sharing session. Team Canada Atlantic missions are designed to increase trade and attract foreign investment to Atlantic Canada through strategic initiatives targeted at select U.S. markets. The missions introduce export-ready firms to international markets and provide experienced exporters the opportunity to explore new markets. Since the Team Canada Atlantic program began in 1999, there have been a total of nine trade missions to the United States, including this latest mission to Washington. These missions have enabled more than 300 Atlantic Canadian firms to meet with over 2,300 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 World Trade Centre; 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 more information on this Team Canada Atlantic Trade Mission to Washington, DC, visit: Media contact: Stephen Heckbert Shauna MacNeil Lynn Evans 2004 04 27 4:25 p.m. |
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