A delegation of close to 60 companies and technology organizations from across Atlantic Canada will participate in an upcoming trade mission to Chicago, Illinois, from November 16-20, 2008. Chicago offers opportunities for Atlantic Canadian companies in a variety of sectors including: information communications technology; agri-food, beverages, fish and seafood products; life sciences; advanced manufacturing, including aerospace and defence; building and construction products; environmental industries; and consumer products.

Mission participants were announced today and include 16 companies and organizations from Newfoundland and Labrador (please see media backgrounder for more details).

"The Government of Canada is commited to working with Atlantic Canadian exporters as they seek to increase their international export capabilities," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. "This Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to Chicago is an opportunity to work together, to learn from one another and to develop innovative solutions to the global economic challenges we currently face."

"As a government, we are supportive of initiatives that provide Newfoundland and Labrador-based companies and organizations with the opportunity to compete in national and international markets," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "The American market represents a very important market for locally-produced goods and services � in 2007, exports to the United States from Newfoundland and Labrador totalled more than $8 billion. Through this trade mission to Chicago I am confident that we will be able to build on that success, target new opportunities, and strengthen existing relationships."

Team Canada Atlantic (TCA) trade missions allow for small and medium-sized businesses from Atlantic Canada to meet face-to-face with potential buyers, agents, distributors, and strategic partners in the United States. Organizers equip participants with the knowledge, contacts and advice they need to make the best of their international opportunities before, during, and after the trade mission.

Since 1999, TCA has organized a total of 14 trade missions to the New England states, Atlanta, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Florida. The missions have helped several hundred small and medium-sized businesses from Atlantic Canada meet with 3,665 agents and business owners from across the United States, resulting in more than $45 million in exports sales for TCA participants.

"Our company had been exporting our products to the New England market for about a year and our participation in the 2007 Boston TCA trade mission resulted in our adding about a dozen accounts. This increased our volumes by approximately 25 per cent," said Larry Stephan, Marketing Director of Labrador Preserves, of Forteau, Newfoundland and Labrador.

This is the third TCA mission to Chicago. Two previous trade missions to Chicago (April and October 2005) helped 75 Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs meet face-to-face with U.S. buyers, agents, distributors, and strategic partners, resulting in export sales of more than $5.4 million.

This TCA mission will include a Technology Partnering Initiative, which provides Atlantic Canadian universities, hospitals, research institutions and non-profit organizations with partnership and commercialization opportunities for their leading-edge technologies. This is an important component of the mission as Atlantic Canadian scientists and entrepreneurs are using innovation to help drive the economy of the region, while increasing trade and investment opportunities. An additional seven companies and organizations from across Atlantic Canada will participate in the Technology Partnering Initiative.

Team Canada Atlantic is a partnership of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Industry Canada and the four Atlantic provinces. The purpose of Team Canada Atlantic missions is to effectively market the products and services of Atlantic Canadian businesses. The program also promotes Atlantic Canada as an attractive investment location.

The mission to Chicago will also provide an opportunity for ACOA and the four Atlantic provinces to pursue investment promotion activities through one-on-one business meetings. These meetings will highlight and showcase the many advantages of investing and locating businesses in Atlantic Canada.

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Following is the list of the Atlantic Canadian companies and organizations participating in the Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to Chicago, from November 16-20, 2008: