Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
September 11, 2009Atlantic Canadian
Food Industry Companies Return to North Carolina
As many as 12 Atlantic Canadian agri-food and seafood
companies are expected to be in North Carolina September
14-18 to promote their world-class products to
prospective customers.
With help from the federal
and provincial governments, the goal of this mission is
to help build trade relations with
key buyers, high-end retailers, distributors and food
service companies based in the Charlotte and Greensboro
regions in North Carolina.
"The Government of Canada is providing opportunities
for exporters in Atlantic Canada to diversify and
increase their export activity, thereby accelerating
their growth and the growth of our region�s economy,"
said
the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of
State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency).
"Through this investment, our government is helping
Atlantic Canadian agri-food and seafood companies
develop new international markets."
"This initiative is a valuable opportunity for local
food and beverage companies to explore and develop new
markets for their products," said the Honourable Shawn
Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
"By linking local companies with buyers, agents,
distributors, and restaurant owners in the North
Carolina market we are helping to facilitate their
success and ability to pursue and, potentially, secure
new export opportunities. I am confident that delegates
will be able to capitalize on the growing ties between
our jurisdictions that were highlighted at the recent
Southeastern United States-Canadian Provinces Alliance
conference that was held in St. John�s."
Building on the success of a trade mission to North
Carolina in the fall of 2007, this mission will offer
participating companies the opportunity to further
develop strategic alliances and
increase sales in targeted markets.
The Atlantic Canadian delegation will participate in
pre-arranged, one-on-one business meetings, business
networking events, market familiarization briefings and
site visits, and will have the opportunity to showcase
their Atlantic Canadian agri-food and seafood products
during an Atlantic Canada networking event. The
delegates will also receive pre-mission and post-mission
services from an export consultant. The Atlantic Food &
Beverage Processors Association is leading the
delegation.
"In the current challenging environment for food
products from Atlantic Canada, it is critical that our
producers and processors aggressively look to new
markets," said Don Newman, Executive Director of the
Atlantic Food & Beverage Processors
Association. "Southeastern U.S. is an exciting market
because it is easily accessible by land and sea.
Moreover, our earlier experience signals that the region
is very receptive to Atlantic Canadian food products.
The industry and our association greatly appreciate the
support from ACOA in the development of this market."
Exporting is one of Atlantic Canada�s leading engines
of economic growth generating revenue, fueling business
opportunities and creating one out of every three jobs
in the region. The Atlantic Canadian
seafood and aquaculture industry alone exports close to
$3 billion worth of products annually, making it the
region�s third largest export sector.
A total of $81,620 in financial assistance for the
delegation�s participation in this trade mission is
provided through the Canada/Atlantic Provinces Agreement
on International Business Development (IBDA). The IBDA
is a federal-provincial agreement between the
Government of Canada (ACOA, Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Canada, and Industry Canada) and the
four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada, and is
designed to help businesses enter, explore and succeed
in international markets.
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BACKGROUNDERR
Following is the list of the Atlantic Canadian
companies and organizations participating in the trade
mission to North Carolina:
New Brunswick
Fancy Pokket Corporation, Moncton
La Maison Beausoleil, N�guac
NB Maple Syrup Association, Fredericton
Produits Belle Baie Lt�e, Caraquet
Newfoundland and Labrador
Fogo Island Co-operative Society Limited,
Seldom Come By
Ocean Choice International Inc., St. John�s
Nova Scotia
Pearlmark Foods Inc., Canning
Prince Edward Island
W.P. Griffin Inc., Elmsdale
2009 09 11 9:10 a.m.
