Innovation, Trade and Rural Development November 17, 2008 Team Canada Atlantic Arrives in Chicago for Trade Mission A group of close to 60 companies and technology organizations arrived yesterday in Chicago, Illinois, and their visit to the "Windy City" is all about business. The companies are participating in a Team Canada Atlantic (TCA) trade mission which wraps up on Thursday, November 20, 2008. This is one of the largest delegations to participate in a TCA trade mission to date, and the third visit to Chicago for TCA. The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, and the four Atlantic provincial ministers responsible for trade are leading the delegation. "The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, is committed to helping Atlantic Canadian companies increase their exports to international markets," said Minister MacKay. "The Tri-State area of Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri is a major distribution centre for the United States and the world. The experience we have gained from previous trade missions proves that Chicago is a good market for Atlantic Canadian companies. Our goal is to build on that success with this mission." "The importance of exporting for Newfoundland and Labrador�s business community continues to grow and is reflected by the size of our delegation in Chicago," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "This year�s delegation is the largest in our province�s history of participating in Team Canada Atlantic missions. I am confident that through a series of one-on-one meetings and networking events, delegates will be able to identify opportunities to expand their export capacity." Over the next few days, the Team Canada Atlantic companies and technology organizations will meet face-to-face with potential agents, brokers, distributors and strategic partners in Chicago. During these meetings, delegates will have the opportunity to secure business deals and expand their export markets to the U.S. Midwest. In addition, mission participants will focus on developing partnership and commercialization opportunities for their leading-edge technologies. Today, government officials will meet with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley to discuss issues of common interest for Atlantic Canada and the City of Chicago. Following this meeting, delegates, elected officials, U.S. CEOs and business leaders will attend a luncheon hosted by the Canadian Consulate General in Chicago. The luncheon will provide an opportunity to discuss trade development, and investment and partnership opportunities between Atlantic Canada and Chicago. The luncheon leads into an afternoon discussion at two forums, one on innovation and the other on transportation and logistics. The Innovation Forum will provide an opportunity to showcase Atlantic Canada�s ability to bring innovation to market and to exchange information and best practices. The Transportation and Logistics Forum will highlight Atlantic Canada�s multimodal and world class transportation system and help promote the Atlantic Gateway as a reliable, secure and competitive trade route for movement into and within North America. Day one will conclude with the Taste of Atlantic Canada Showcase and Reception, a key draw for U.S. participants and a highly successful event for the TCA trade missions. The event showcases Atlantic Canada�s best agri-food and seafood products to more than 300 key U.S. buyers and distributors. 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. Team Canada Atlantic is a partnership of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Industry Canada, and the four Atlantic Provinces. - 30 - Media contacts:
MEDIA BackgroundER 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: New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island Team Canada Atlantic Technology Partnering Initiative: Nova Scotia New Brunswick 2008 11 17 1:10 p.m. |
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