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NLIS 5 April 29, 2004 (Innovation, Trade and Rural Development) Team Canada Atlantic mission to Washington hailed a success After three full days of meetings with potential agents, brokers, distributors, and strategic partners in Washington, 27 Atlantic Canadian companies and business organizations emerged from the U.S. capitol region with solid business leads for potential partnerships and sales. This latest Team Canada Atlantic mission to Washington (April 25-29) follows an earlier one in November 2003, in which 40 Atlantic Canadian companies ventured to this promising and lucrative region of the U.S. northeast to build new business opportunities. "This has been an excellent follow-up trade mission," said Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "Breaking into a new market, especially one as sophisticated and large as this one, is not a simple task. But Team Canada Atlantic is helping increasing numbers of Atlantic firms do just that. Trade is a crucial component of the Atlantic economy. Trade in goods and services account for 36.4 per cent of Atlantic Canada�s Gross Domestic Product. "This has been a successful and instructive trade mission for Newfoundland and Labrador companies and organizations," said Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. "The success of our provincial delegation has shown that our products and services can compete with some of the best in the world. We are delighted by how well our products have been received in the Washington area." During the trade mission, business delegates and officials participated in a comprehensive program that included one-on-one matchmaking sessions and a number of roundtable discussions. Discussions included How to Sell to the U.S. Government, the Commercialization of New Technologies, meetings with senior World Bank officials and extensive networking opportunities with high level Washington area business leaders. Altogether, Team Canada Atlantic participant firms and business organizations held 148 meetings with Washington-area industry contacts. The mission focused on developing opportunities for enhanced export business for Atlantic firms in the areas of information and communications technology, biotechnology, agri-foods, consumer products, and the building and construction sector. "There are major benefits on multiple levels with these trade missions," said Dr. Wayne Gulliver, CEO of Advanced Immuni T of St. John�s, NL "We had a chance to meet a number of potential partners that will allow us to advance our compound in this market." Advanced Immuni T is a small, privately-owned biotechnology company that has developed a small eight-amino acid peptide, which has shown strong potential for treating autoimmune afflictions ranging from Psoriasis to HIV/AIDS to Alzheimer's Disease. Team Canada Atlantic missions are designed to increase trade and to attract foreign direct investment for Atlantic Canada through strategic initiatives targeted specifically to select U.S. markets. The missions introduce export-ready firms to international markets and provide experienced exporters the opportunity to explore new markets. Since the Team Canada Atlantic program began in 1999, there have been a total of nine trade missions � including this latest to Washington � to the United States. The missions have enabled more than 300 Atlantic Canadian firms to meet with over 2,450 buyers, agents, and business owners from across the United States, helping to generate $20 million in short-term sales and more than $115 million in long-term sales. Team Canada Atlantic partners include: ACOA; the Atlantic Canada World Trade Centre; the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Agriculture and Agri-food Canada; Industry Canada; and the governments of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. For more information on this Team Canada Atlantic Trade Mission to Washington, DC, visit: Media contact:
Stephen Heckbert
Shauna MacNeil
Lynn Evans 2004 04 29 4:45 p.m. |
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