Premier Pat Binns will lead a delegation of 10 Island companies to Atlanta next week as Team Canada Atlantic embarks on its first trade mission to Georgia. The PEI contingent is part of a team of 39 Atlantic Canadian companies hoping to establish new business partnerships, increase trade and investment and build strategic alliances in the Southern United States.
The 10 Island companies participating in the trade mission are Amalgamated Dairies Limited, Atlantic Mussel Growers, Baseline Business Geographics Inc, Business Technology Consulting, Future Learning Solutions Inc, J. Perry Inc., Royalty Hardwoods, Spell Read P.A.T. Learning Systems Inc., Softworld 2002 and York Point Farms.
This is the fourth Team Canada Atlantic Trade Mission since 1999, but the previous three have all been to the New England states. With the Southern states being the fastest growing market in the U.S., Team Canada Atlantic is confident this trade mission will realize the same success for Atlantic Canadian companies as previous missions.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to showcase what our province, and our
region, have to offer," said the Premier. "This is a huge new market for us and I think the potential to develop some important contacts on this trip is great. Our products have
proven to be successful in the U.S. marketplace in the past and I think the area holds great promise for future exports."
PEI's Minister of Development and Technology, Mike Currie, will also join the PEI delegation in Atlanta. Minister Currie points to the importance of the export market on the regional economy as a key driving force behind the missions.
"Exporting is a major component of the regional economy. Last year alone, export sales from Atlantic Canada totalled over $17.2 billion," said Minister Currie. "The Atlantic Canadian region, and PEI in particular, has seen export business increase significantly as a result of trade missions such as this one to Atlanta. I am pleased to be participating in this mission and supporting local companies as they open doors to new opportunities."
Premier Binns, Minister Currie and the delegation of 39 companies will be joined in Atlanta by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Roger Grimes, Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm, and New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord. International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew, Industry Minister Brian Tobin and Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Robert Thibault, will also represent the government of Canada.
The Team Canada Atlantic Mission to Atlanta, Georgia is being organized by ACOA, the four Atlantic provinces, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Industry Canada and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.
For more information on the Team Canada Atlantic Trade Mission to Atlanta taking place May 14-15, 2001, visit www.teamcanadaatlantic.com.