"Canada�s New Government is committed to helping the Atlantic Canadian seafood export industry succeed internationally," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "The European Seafood Exposition will give Atlantic Canadian seafood exporters the essential market information on new and innovative seafood products, and the latest details on industry technologies and trends before they reach the consumer market."

"Ensuring that the fishing industry finds new markets for our seafood products is a top priority for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador," said the Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Seafood is a major food group and one of the healthiest products on world food markets. Newfoundland and Labrador has the finest seafood products in the world and therefore they are very attractive to international markets. We will continue to take advantage of any opportunity to showcase our seafood on the global stage."

The European Seafood Exposition brings together over 1,000 seafood buyers and sellers from more than 65 countries to showcase every category of seafood products including fresh, frozen, live and value-added seafood; storage, processing and handling equipment; and a host of seafood-related services including freight-handling, insurance, and information technology.

The Atlantic Canadian delegates will participate in exhibitions, on-site tours, a food showcase and one-on-one meetings, providing them the opportunity to build on previously established partnerships and embark on new ones. The exposition gives Atlantic Canadian seafood companies the opportunity to source and compare seafood products, suppliers and prices.

The Atlantic Canadian delegation received support through the Canada/Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA). The IBDA is a federal/provincial export development agreement between the Government of Canada (represented by ACOA, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and Industry Canada) and the four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada. In Newfoundland and Labrador the IBDA is administered by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. Since 1994, 32 per cent of companies that participated in an IBDA-sponsored trade activity for the first time have since begun exporting internationally; 42 per cent of companies reported an increase in the volume of their exports; and 29 per cent started exporting to new markets as a result of the IBDA activity.

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2007 04 16                                                       4:25 p.m.