- Team Canada Atlantic is getting ready to do business in Chicago. Approximately 40 companies from all over Atlantic Canada will participate in the trade mission, scheduled for April 10-14, 2005.
“Chicago is home to 46 of the Fortune 500 companies and is a major distribution centre for the United States and the world,” said the Honourable Joe McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “Exports create one out of every three jobs in Atlantic Canada, which means that trade missions like this one are very important to the continued economic development of our region.”
“PEI companies who have participated in previous trade missions know first hand the result of investigating foreign markets and meeting face-to-face with qualified potential partners,” said Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island. “The Tri-State region (Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri) enjoys a high GDP per capita and a population density that makes it a prime market for Atlantic Canadian markets and business cooperation.”
Chicago offers opportunities for Atlantic Canadian companies in a variety of sectors including: advanced manufacturing; agriculture; agri-food and seafood; building and construction; consumer products; information and communications technology, and life sciences.
Team Canada Atlantic is a partnership of ACOA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada, International Trade Canada and the four Atlantic provinces. Team Canada Atlantic is committed to strengthening the trade and investment relationship between Atlantic Canada and the United States.
According to Statistics Canada, Atlantic Canadian exports to the state of Illinois were approximately $255 million in 2003, while total Atlantic Canadian exports to the United States were $15.8 billion.
Trade missions have been at the core of the Team Canada Atlantic approach since 1999. Nine trade missions to the New England states, Atlanta, New York, and Washington have helped more than 300 Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs to meet with almost 2,500 buyers, agents and business owners from across the United States, resulting in export sales of $30 million and projected long-term sales of $70 million.