Northern Peninsula companies explore export possibilities in Greenland

Several companies who are part of the Northern Peninsula Business Network (the Network) are confident their trade mission to Greenland last week will yield possible exporting opportunities with the island nation.

Elite Builders Ltd., Holson Forest Products Ltd., Sealand Enterprises Ltd. and Surteen Hardwoods participated in an exploratory trade mission to Greenland in hopes of identifying new markets for their products and to learn about opportunities and requirements for exporting to the country. The mission was a component of the Network�s export development strategy which also entails business skills and trade development workshops for its members.

Funding for the initiative was provided by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA, $19,475), Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development (INTRD), Government of Newfoundland and Labrador ($14,610), participating companies ($14,749) and the Network ($5,111).

"Exporting is a pivotal component of business expansion strategies especially for small- and medium-sized companies in Newfoundland and Labrador where the local market is limited," said Gerry Byrne, MP for Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte, on behalf of Joseph McGuire, Minister of ACOA. "The Northern Peninsula Business Network represents a progressive group of companies who are working to develop their exporting skills and knowledge to capture new markets that can help their businesses prosper."

"Members of my department have been actively engaged with the Northern Peninsula Business Network for some years now," said Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "It is exciting to see our rural businesses explore export opportunities. This is the latest of a number of creative initiatives undertaken by the Network and I wish them every success."

"Excellent mission," says Ted Lewis, president of the Network and owner of Holson Forest Products. "Our population is declining, the ratio of births to deaths is nearly the same, youth are dwindling in number while the average age is increasing. It is critical to the Peninsula at this time that efforts are made to expand our economic potential. The Network is composed of businesses trying to meet this challenge. As a Network, our goal is growth for our businesses and for the region. For my businesses, there is a lot of potential to do business and increase my lumber market base in Greenland. The key is to be competitive with their traditional markets in Denmark and surrounding countries. Without the trip, I would not have known the market existed and more important if I did, I would not have understood the type of lumber dimensions used for construction. Seeing first hand makes all the difference."

The Network engaged the services of a former Canadian Ambassador to Denmark and Greenland to prepare the companies for the mission and to accompany them. Greenland was identified as a good location for an initial exploratory mission largely due to its size, location and sectoral prospects. The mission ran from Nov. 6th and the companies returned on November 11.

ACOA�s funding comes from the Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (ATIP) which is a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the export performance of the Atlantic region and to increase foreign direct investment.

INTRD�s Business Networks Program is designed to increase the export and trade potential of Newfoundland and Labrador firms, particularly businesses in rural areas of the province. The program assists business networks pursue export opportunities in national and international markets that supplement and enhance the target growth sectors of the province and the ongoing business development strategies of the department.

Media contact:

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

Doug Burgess, Director, Public Affairs, ACOA, (709) 772-2935

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

Richard May, Northern Peninsula Business Network Inc., (709) 247-2040

2005 11 16        5:30 p.m.