Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
June 20, 2007

Icelandic Trade Mission Pleases Participants

Twelve Newfoundland and Labrador companies that recently returned from Iceland report a profitable visit. They were part of a trade mission led by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development in early June.

"For three days, Newfoundland and Labrador delegates held more than 70 business meetings with Icelandic companies to identify export opportunities and generate sales orders," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "With its relatively small, island-based population and strong fishery, the economy of Iceland has many similarities to Newfoundland and Labrador�s and is a good trading fit."

Don Vokey of Northstar Technical, a St. John�s-based marine technology company that specializes in underwater communications systems said, "The mission was an excellent way to meet key stakeholders in the Icelandic fishing industry, both potential distributors and customers alike."

Joan Kane, who operates the apparel company Ewe Design of Trinity, was on her second trade mission to Iceland. During this mission she increased her current sales and gained new customers through her custom design work using Icelandic wool. "I would never have been able to gain the knowledge and experience to export successfully without these trade missions," said Ms. Kane.

The department works with Newfoundland and Labrador companies prior to their departure to ensure that they are prepared for the markets they wish to enter, and in Iceland provides a matchmaker to increase the probability that companies will achieve their international market goals.

"The quality of contacts made in the Icelandic market was beyond my expectations and the support provided by mission staff was outstanding," said Mr. Vokey. "We achieved our mission objectives and were extremely satisfied."

The department partnered with the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in taking 12 companies to Iceland from Corner Brook, Deer Lake, Grand Falls-Windsor, St. John�s, Trinity and Whitbourne. In addition to Northstar Technical and Ewe Design, the other companies which participated were K.S.A.B Cabinets, Corner Brook; Q.H. North America, and Eastwood Forest Products Inc., both of Deer Lake; CJ Enterprises N.L. Ltd., Grand Falls-Windsor; Markland Cottage Winery Ltd., Whitbourne; Classic Woodwork Ltd., and Western Hydraulic 2000 Ltd. both of Mount Pearl; Dray Media, PF Collins, and Jigs Personalized Puzzles Inc., all of St. John�s.

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Media contact:
Clifford Grinling
Manager of Communications
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-7066

cgrinlin@gov.nl.ca

2007 06 20                                                       10:40 a.m.

 


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