Recruitment is underway to attract 20 Atlantic Canadian exporters to showcase their products and services in the Canada Export Centre. Located in Vancouver, the Canada Export Centre is a premiere physical destination for international trade visitors from around the world, primarily the Pacific Rim trading nations. The centre is a permanent showroom that accommodates up to 320 kiosk exhibits and attracts business travelers, conferences and inbound trade delegations from around the world..

"Canada�s New Government delivers the means to Atlantic Canadian exporters to leverage their success in the international marketplace," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "Through our investment of over $114,000, we are giving Atlantic Canadian businesses an innovative venue to showcase their products and establish business partnerships around the world without having to leave the country."

"Vancouver is a gateway into Canada for business people from the Pacific Rim which includes some of the world�s fastest growing economies. This initiative will provide Atlantic Canadian companies, particularly from Newfoundland and Labrador, with opportunities to promote their products and services in new markets," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development.

The Canada Export Centre is a high-profile export sales and exhibition facility. Last year the centre helped clients generate $54 million in contracts through a variety of export development tools, aggressive international promotional services and hosting dozens of exported related events and government trade missions every month.

The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), Nova Scotia Division, are recruiting Atlantic Canadian exporters that are interested in penetrating the Asian and North American markets. Atlantic Canadian exhibitors at the centre will be able to capitalize on trade delegations and international business people looking for Canadian trade opportunities.

This project received financial 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. 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 IBDA activity.

2007 04 27                                               12:50 p.m.