The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Honourable Michael F. Currie, Minister of Development and Technology, today announced that Atlantic Canadian companies are participating in an international food show, SIAL Montréal, from April 2-4, 2003.
Five Prince Edward Island companies will be among 22 food and beverage companies from the Atlantic region that will be part of a 3,300 square foot Atlantic Canada Pavilion at this event, which is held every two years.
SIAL Montréal 2003 is the premier North American International Food, Beverage, Wine and Spirits Exhibition, attracting over 15,000 visitors from over 80 different countries. The trade show will take place at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal.
"In Atlantic Canada, food and beverage manufacturing provides employment to more than 33,000 people," said Minister Byrne. "The value of manufacturing shipments in this industry reached $6.3 billion in 2001 and ACOA continues to be very supportive of local companies striving to expand their markets beyond our region."
Companies participating in the Pavilion include Atlantic Mussel Growers Corp. of Murray River; Confederation Cove Mussel Co. of Borden-Carleton; Howard's Cove Shellfish of Bloomfield; Cavendish Farms (PEI Division) of Summerside and the PEI Potato Board of Charlottetown.
"We are thrilled to be able to showcase PEI food products on an international stage like SIAL," said Michael F. Currie, Minister of Development and Technology. "With buyers coming from around the world, we are confident that PEI products will be able to secure new markets and sales opportunities at SIAL.
The purpose of Atlantic Canada's participation in this event is to create new business partnerships, increase trade and build strategic alliances between Atlantic Canadian companies and the major international food and beverage businesses represented at the show.
The Atlantic Canada Pavilion will bring together exhibitors, government officials, and Chef de cuisine Richard Chiasson of the Acadian Culinary Institute of Grande-Anse, NB. Visitors will be treated to some of the best Atlantic Canadian products and services. Also, a private, exclusive reception to showcase Atlantic Canadian products to food and beverage buyers from Mexico, South Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, the United States and Europe is being planned as part of the show's activities.
In addition to exhibiting at the show, companies from Atlantic Canada have participated in intensive, pre-show, competitive intelligence training, which provides them with the tools and resources necessary to maximize their participation at SIAL.
The Atlantic Canada Pavilion is funded through the Canada/Atlantic Provinces COOPERATION Agreement on International Business Development Agreement (IBDA).
The IBDA is designed to increase exporting in Atlantic Canada by funding projects that help small- and medium-sized companies explore, enter and succeed in international markets. The IBDA focuses on international trade as an economic development imperative, and provides a forum for cooperation and coordinated action. First signed in May 1994, the Agreement involves the four Atlantic Canadian provincial governments and three federal departments – the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Industry Canada and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.