A delegation of more than 40 businesses and organizations from the Atlantic Canadian biotechnology industry will take part in the BIO 2007 International Convention, being held May 6-9, 2007 in Boston. It is expected that more than 20,000 industry leaders and 1,800 exhibitors will attend this annual event.

"Canada�s new government is proud to support the Atlantic Canadian biotechnology industry," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "Our investment of more than $116,000 will assist 40 companies attend the Biotechnology 2007 International Convention where they will develop new international partnership and contribute to improving the quality of life for humans, the environment and the global economy."

"BIO 2007 is a great opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador biotechnology sector representatives to network and meet with other people and organizations involved in the industry," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. "Our biotechnology industry is doing very innovative work and conferences like this give us the opportunity to showcase our work and see what others in the field are doing."

The BIO 2007 convention program includes keynote speakers, conference presenters, researchers, exhibitors and 200 breakout sessions that will focus on developments in business, global health, the biotechnology industry and the environment. The draw for Atlantic Canadian participants is to establish new contacts and build on existing ones, exchange ideas and discuss opportunities with industry colleagues from around the world.

"The annual BIO convention is the most important bioscience get-together of the year," said Marli MacNeil, CEO of Nova Scotia�s life sciences industry association and organizer of the Atlantic delegation. "The strong participation from the region is telling us that our industry is building for success and it will tell others that Atlantic Canada is open for bioscience business."

The Atlantic 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. Since 1994, 32 per cent of companies that were first-time participants in an IBDA-sponsored trade activity 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 05 01                                                       4:00 p.m.