Companies optimistic about Team Canada Atlantic mission

A group of Atlantic Canadian companies are heading home today, following three intensive days of business meetings. They are confident about their future export sales in the Florida market. The companies participated in the Team Canada Atlantic (TCA) trade mission to the southern state, which took place from May 14-18.

"Our mission to Florida helped Atlantic Canadian companies create business opportunities and promoted the region as a good place to do business," said Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "Eleven previous TCA trade missions have resulted in export sales of more than $37 million for Atlantic Canadian exporters and we expect the final results from this mission to build on that number."

"The Team Canada Atlantic mission has proved extremely beneficial to the Newfoundland and Labrador delegation," said John Ottenheimer, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. "Our companies enjoyed success over these last three days, and are looking forward to building on that success upon their return to the province. As well, our participants were great ambassadors in promoting Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Atlantic Canada, as an ideal commercial location."

During the trade mission, business delegates and officials participated in a comprehensive program that included one-on-one business meetings and several roundtable discussions, as well as 254 formal business meetings with Florida business contacts.

The mission focused on developing opportunities for enhanced export business for Atlantic Canadian companies in the areas of advanced manufacturing, including aerospace and defence; agri-food and seafood; building and construction products; consumer products; information communications technology; life sciences; and ocean industries, including boat building.

"The meetings we had on this trade mission have shown there is significant demand for our product in Florida," said Jonathan Brett, president of MedicLINK Systems Ltd. "Even in advance of our official U.S. launch in Florida this weekend, a number of businesses have already agreed to purchase our product. Several others are interested in becoming Florida and Central America resellers."

A partnership of ACOA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada, International Trade Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces, TCA is committed to strengthening the trade and investment relationship between Atlantic Canada and the United States.

Visit www.teamcanadaatlantic.com for more information.

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2006 05 18                                        2:55 p.m.