Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
September 16, 2010
Atlantic
Canada Trade Mission to Attend Ocean Technology Conference in Seattle
A delegation of 14 Atlantic Canadian companies from the ocean
technology industry will travel to Seattle, Washington to participate in
the
Oceans 2010 MTS/IEEE
conference and trade
show. The event runs from September 20-23, 2010. Financial support for
the mission is being provided by the
federal and provincial
governments through the Canada/Atlantic Provinces Agreement on
International Business Development (IBDA)
.
Organized by the Marine Technology Society (MTS) and the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Oceans 2010 is one of the
world's leading events for the marine science, technology and
engineering sectors. The Atlantic Canadian delegation is being led by
Nova Scotia Business Inc.
"Our government's investment in this trade mission is one of many
demonstrations of our commitment to Atlantic Canada's ocean technology
industry," said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National
Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and
Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. "We believe in the strength and
future of Atlantic Canada's ocean technology industry and are proud to
support Atlantic Canadian delegates at this event where they can
demonstrate their capabilities to an international audience, learn about
new technologies and research, and meet with prospective buyers and
partners."
"With internationally-recognized expertise in the areas of maritime
surveillance, marine simulation, and ocean observation, Newfoundland and
Labrador has assumed a leadership position in the global ocean
technology sector," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador. "A preeminent industry forum, Oceans 2010 provides the
platform for the Newfoundland and Labrador delegation to further
entrench the local sector as an industry leader and create the necessary
linkages to advance new export opportunities."
The annual international technology conference and exhibition is held
in different venues around the world and draws
upwards of 2,000
international delegates
. Oceans 2010 will provide
the Atlantic Canadian delegates with a wide range of training and
marketing opportunities, highlighted by exhibiting at an Atlantic
Canadian Pavilion and hosting a networking reception to raise the
Atlantic industry's international profile and to strengthen global trade
relations.
This is the third Atlantic Canadian trade mission to the Oceans fall
conference and exhibition. Past missions have been extremely successful
for Atlantic Canadian companies. Last year's mission alone generated
more than $80,000 in on-site sales and an estimated $1.3 million in
sales over the past year.
"The Oceans trade show enables companies to highlight the expertise
and capabilities that exist in our region," said Stephen Lund, president
and CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc. "With the success we've had in
previous years, we're pleased to continue to support initiatives that
position our companies as global competitors in the industry."
According to a recent study, Atlantic Canada's ocean technology
sector exports over 50 per cent of its products and services, with the
US being the biggest export market.
The Pacific Northwest region of the United States represents a
strategic market for Atlantic Canada. The region
includes the
states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. Taken together, these
states would rank 19th among the world's leading economies
with an annual gross regional product close to $500 billion and a
combined population of 13 million.
A total of $87,000 in
funding for the Oceans 2010
trade mission is being provided through the 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 Atlantic Canadian businesses enter,
explore and succeed in international markets.
The IBDA is the
leading component of a pan-Atlantic effort to foster business relations,
attract foreign investment and nurture technological co-operation.
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