NLIS 3
April 14, 2005
(Innovation, Trade and Rural Development)
 

Team Canada Atlantic mission to Chicago achieves success

After three full days of meetings with potential agents, brokers, distributors, and strategic partners, 45 Atlantic Canadian companies and organizations emerged from the globally diversified economic centre of Chicago with solid business leads for potential partnerships and export sales.

"The past three days have been very productive," said Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "The purpose of Team Canada Atlantic missions is to effectively market the products and services of Atlantic Canadian businesses and to promote Atlantic Canada as an attractive investment location. We have been successful on both counts."

Senator Marilyn Trenholme Counsell is taking part in the mission on behalf of Minister McGuire.

"Newfoundland and Labrador companies have learned a great deal about doing business in Chicago over the last three days," said Kathy Dunderdale, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "This mission has been an invaluable learning process and a valuable networking and relationship building exercises for our companies. Our province has much to offer in terms of business opportunities. This mission confirms to the world, and specifically Chicago, that Newfoundland and Labrador is open for business."

During the trade mission, business delegates and officials participated in a comprehensive program that included one-on-one business meetings and several roundtable discussions. Discussions included: Doing Business in the U.S.; Border and Transportation Issues; Innovation, Science and Technology; meetings with U.S. CEOs; and networking opportunities with Chicago area business leaders.

Team Canada Atlantic companies and organizations participated in more than 200 formal business meetings with Chicago business contacts.

The mission focused on developing opportunities for enhanced export business for Atlantic firms in the areas of advanced manufacturing; agriculture, agri-food and seafood; building and construction products; consumer products; information and communications technology; and life sciences.

"This trade mission to Chicago has provided us with valuable insight and market intelligence that will enable us to develop a strategic plan to enter the US market," said Jamie King, President of Verafin Inc. "The support provided from ACOA and Innovation, Trade and Rural Development has been invaluable to us as a Newfoundland and Labrador-based technology start-up."

Team Canada Atlantic is a partnership of ACOA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada, International Trade Canada and the four Atlantic provinces. Team Canada Atlantic is committed to strengthening the trade and investment relationship between Atlantic Canada and the United States.

Trade missions have been at the core of the Team Canada Atlantic approach since 1999. Nine trade missions to the New England states, Atlanta, New York, and Washington have helped more than 300 Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs to meet with nearly 2,500 buyers, agents and business owners from across the United States, resulting in export sales in excess of $35 million.

Visit www.teamcanadaatlantic.com

Media contact:

Val�rie Poulin
Director of Communications
Office of Joseph McGuire
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(613) 941-7241

Tracy Kenney
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(506) 851-2639

Lynn Evans
Director of Communications
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-4570

2005 04 14                                            11:40 a.m.


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