A delegation of 27 Atlantic Canadian companies arrived in Washington, D.C. yesterday for a Team Canada Atlantic trade mission. The TCA delegation is in Washington until April 29, 2004.
Led by the Honourable Joe McGuire, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), along with representatives from the Government of Prince Edward Island, the delegation will participate in more than 100 business meetings, strengthening the trade and investment relationship between Atlantic Canada and the United States.
“Atlantic Canada’s economy has undergone significant changes in recent years,” said Minister McGuire. “A growing number of firms in the region are in a position to generate more wealth by expanding beyond their borders. Trade missions provide an opportunity for our companies to break into new markets and improve their bottom-line.”
“The province has specific competitive advantages in each sector and is committed to working and connecting with outside markets,” said Michael F. Currie, Minister of Development & Technology in Prince Edward Island. “Trade missions allow companies an opportunity to expand their business potential by exploring new avenues. The Province of Prince Edward Island is committed to providing current exporters with needed support to maintain and increase their export capabilities.”
Over the next few days, companies participating in the trade mission will have the opportunity to meet with key decision makers in a number of sectors including agrifood, biotechnology, building and construction, consumer products, and information and communications technology.
The Greater Washington area has a population of 5.7 million (2002) and encompasses Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland. It is ranked as the United States’ fourth-largest regional economy with gross regional product surpassing $272 billion annually.
Team Canada Atlantic partners include: ACOA; the Atlantic Canada World Trade Center; the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Agriculture and Agri-food Canada; Industry Canada; and the governments of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Complete List of Participating Companies
Prince Edward Island
Baseline Business Geographics Inc., Charlottetown; Spell Read P.A.T. Learning Systems Inc., Charlottetown; J. Perry Inc., Tignish.
Nova Scotia
Greater Halifax Partnership, Halifax; Destination Halifax, Halifax; Abridean Inc., Halifax; SolutionInc. Technologies Ltd., Halifax; SalesBoom.com, Halifax; DynaGen Technologies Inc., Sydney; Michele Stevens Sailloft Inc., Lunenburg.
New Brunswick
True North Salmon Company, St. George; Andreanne International Inc., Bouctouche; BulletProof Solutions Inc., Fredericton; LearnStream, Fredericton; Varcon Inc., Fredericton; Computer Generated Solutions Canada Ltd., Saint John, and Anyware Group Inc., Saint John.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Innovative Ideas Inc.(Fogo Island Cooperative), Seldom; Advanced Immuni T Canada Inc., St. John’s; Terra Nova Industries Limited, Glovertown; Bluedrop Performance Learning, St. John’s; Compusult Limited, Mount Pearl; Infotech Canada Inc., St. John’s; Systems ‘N’ Solutions Limited, St. John’s; Newfoundland and Labrador Chamber of Commerce, Gander; The EXCITE! Corporation, Grand Falls-Windsor; Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries, St. John’s.