The Honourable Wayne Easter, Solicitor General of Canada and the Honourable Mike Currie, Minister of Development and Technology today announced that Prince Edward Island's export-oriented businesses now have easy access to comprehensive information on current trade and export activities through Trade Team PEI's new web portal.
Trade Team PEI is a partnership of federal and provincial government departments and agencies that offers export assistance to Island exporters. The Trade Team PEI Web site will provide Island companies with the tools, skills and information they need to enter new markets, increase sales and profits and ultimately generate more jobs here at home. This Web site will also include details on upcoming trade missions to New England, Washington, D.C., Ireland and other priority markets.
"This Web site will provide Island businesses with the strategic tools they need to become more innovative, productive and competitive in the global market," said Minister Easter, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "This site will bring together in one place a wealth of information, resources and tools offered by the federal and provincial government."
"The Trade Team PEI Web site ensures Island businesses have access to the accurate information and resources needed to enter into new and existing markets," said Mike Currie. "Through this new site, Island companies will be able to explore future opportunities of exporting their products and/or services abroad, in addition to learning more about the possibilities of expanding their businesses through trade missions, exhibitions and events."
In 1996, the value of provincial exports was estimated at $350 million dollars. Today that number has risen close to $700 million annually. The top five export markets for PEI products in 2002 were United States, Japan, France, Germany and United Kingdom.
For information on upcoming trade missions, export training programs, results from past events, US Bioterrorism Act of 2002, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and other trade and export related topics, please visit the Trade Team PEI Web site at www.TradeTeamPEI.com or call 1-888-811-1119.