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NLIS 4
September 12, 2006
(Innovation, Trade and Rural Development)
 

Department helping local companies target key markets

Europe and the United States are export markets that hold great potential for Newfoundland and Labrador companies. To assist local companies showing increased interest in developing trade relationships with these two markets, the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development is amplifying its export development activities this autumn. Trade missions are currently being organized for Boston, Ireland and Iceland for companies interested in expanding client bases and exposing products and services to new markets.

�The positive feedback the department continues to receive from companies interested in participating in these missions, whether it is their first or fifth, is very encouraging. It demonstrates a noticeable shift in the focus and strength of Newfoundland and Labrador companies today,� said Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. �Our local business owners are experiencing a stronger sense of success and increased confidence, and can therefore turn their attention towards creating more opportunities internationally for themselves, their companies and the communities in which they live and operate. That benefits the province as a whole.�

The department has organized a delegation of 10 local ocean technology companies and research institutions to attend the Oceans 2006 Conference and Trade Show in Boston, September 18 - 21. Participation in Oceans 2006 follows closely on previous ocean technology-focused activities in New England, including Premier Williams� visit to the area in May. The department has also arranged business-to-business meetings for the companies attending Oceans 2006. At the same time, several companies in other sectors, such as agrifoods, information technology and energy management, will meet one-on-one with companies in their respective fields from the Boston area.

The meetings, trade show and conference, provide excellent opportunities for local companies to share information, network and be matched with compatible companies operating in similar sectors around the world.

Companies and organizations participating in the Boston mission include NavSim Technology Inc., Virtual Marine Technology Inc., Marport Canada Inc., GRI Simulations Inc., M3C Technical Inc., Northstar Technical Inc., OceansAdvance Inc., Marine Institute, Canadian Centre for Marine Communications (CCMC), National Research Council-Institute for Ocean Technology, Labrador Preserves, Blue Line Innovations and MedicLINK Systems.

The department will be holding information sessions on Ireland and Iceland to explain and advise interested businesses about the various opportunities these markets hold. The Ireland information session will be held Thursday, September 14, 2006 at the Fairmont Hotel in St. John�s. Inquiries about attending this session should be directed to Doriann Coombs at (709) 729-5924. The Iceland information session will be held the following day, Friday, September 15, 2006 at the Battery Hotel in St. John�s. Inquires regarding this session should be directed to Kelly Day at (709) 729-4435.

The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development is committed to assisting new exporters to access the international marketplace and to help existing exporters enter new export markets. The department will continue to concentrate on markets where Newfoundland and Labrador companies already have a presence such as New England, Ireland and Iceland, while continuing to research, identify and pursue opportunities in other markets previously untapped by local companies. The department is currently considering other potential export markets for future departmental trade initiatives.

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709)729-4570, 690-6290

2006 09 12                           2:15 p.m.


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