A group of Atlantic Canadian companies are heading home today, following three intensive days of business meetings. They are confident about their future export sales in the Florida market. The companies participated in the Team Canada Atlantic (TCA) trade mission to the southern state, which took place from May 14-18, 2006.
“Our mission to Florida helped Atlantic Canadian companies create business opportunities and promoted the region as a good place to do business,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “Eleven previous TCA trade missions have resulted in export sales of more than $37 million for Atlantic Canadian exporters and we expect the final results from this mission to build on that number.”
“Exporting is an integral component of the marketing strategies for the Island participants on this mission,” said the Honourable Premier of Prince Edward Island Pat Binns. “This Florida trade mission provides participating Prince Edward Island businesses with an opportunity to connect with a major export market. Prince Edward Island exports have more than doubled since 1996, and the more markets we enter translates into more dollars and jobs for Prince Edward Island.”
During the trade mission, business delegates and officials participated in a comprehensive program that included one-on-one business meetings and several roundtable discussions, as well as 254 formal business meetings with Florida business contacts.
The mission focused on developing opportunities for enhanced export business for Atlantic Canadian companies in the areas of advanced manufacturing, including aerospace and defence; agri-food and seafood; building and construction products; consumer products; information communications technology; life sciences; and ocean industries, including boat building.
“This was our first Team Canada Atlantic Trade mission and we are extremely pleased with the experience we've had as a mission participant,” said Craig Dodge, Director of Business Development at Advantage Communications Inc. “We have met with some companies that we can build a working relationship with that will lead us to additional business for our company. This was a great opportunity to get our foot in the door and meet face-to-face with business people in the Florida market and hopefully, generate more sales for our company in the long run.”
A partnership of ACOA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada, International Trade Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces, TCA is committed to strengthening the trade and investment relationship between Atlantic Canada and the United States.
Visit www.teamcanadaatlantic.com for more information.