NLIS 4
September 12, 2006
(Innovation, Trade and Rural Development)
Department helping local
companies target key markets
Europe and the United States are export
markets that hold great potential for Newfoundland and Labrador
companies. To assist local companies showing increased interest in
developing trade relationships with these two markets, the Department of
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development is amplifying its export
development activities this autumn. Trade missions are currently being
organized for Boston, Ireland and Iceland for companies interested in
expanding client bases and exposing products and services to new
markets.
�The positive feedback the department continues to receive from
companies interested in participating in these missions, whether it is
their first or fifth, is very encouraging. It demonstrates a noticeable
shift in the focus and strength of Newfoundland and Labrador companies
today,� said Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development. �Our local business owners are experiencing a stronger
sense of success and increased confidence, and can therefore turn their
attention towards creating more opportunities internationally for
themselves, their companies and the communities in which they live and
operate. That benefits the province as a whole.�
The department has organized a delegation of 10 local ocean technology
companies and research institutions to attend the Oceans 2006 Conference
and Trade Show in Boston, September 18 - 21. Participation in Oceans
2006 follows closely on previous ocean technology-focused activities in
New England, including Premier Williams� visit to the area in May. The
department has also arranged business-to-business meetings for the
companies attending Oceans 2006. At the same time, several companies in
other sectors, such as agrifoods, information technology and energy
management, will meet one-on-one with companies in their respective
fields from the Boston area.
The meetings, trade show and conference, provide excellent opportunities
for local companies to share information, network and be matched with
compatible companies operating in similar sectors around the world.
Companies and organizations participating in the Boston mission include
NavSim Technology Inc., Virtual Marine Technology Inc., Marport Canada
Inc., GRI Simulations Inc., M3C Technical Inc., Northstar Technical
Inc., OceansAdvance Inc., Marine Institute, Canadian Centre for Marine
Communications (CCMC), National Research Council-Institute for Ocean
Technology, Labrador Preserves, Blue Line Innovations and MedicLINK
Systems.
The department will be holding information sessions on Ireland and
Iceland to explain and advise interested businesses about the various
opportunities these markets hold. The Ireland information session will
be held Thursday, September 14, 2006 at the Fairmont Hotel in St.
John�s. Inquiries about attending this session should be directed to
Doriann Coombs at (709) 729-5924. The Iceland information session will
be held the following day, Friday, September 15, 2006 at the Battery
Hotel in St. John�s. Inquires regarding this session should be directed
to Kelly Day at (709) 729-4435.
The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development is committed
to assisting new exporters to access the international marketplace and
to help existing exporters enter new export markets. The department will
continue to concentrate on markets where Newfoundland and Labrador
companies already have a presence such as New England, Ireland and
Iceland, while continuing to research, identify and pursue opportunities
in other markets previously untapped by local companies. The department
is currently considering other potential export markets for future
departmental trade initiatives.
Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709)729-4570, 690-6290
2006 09 12
2:15 p.m. |