Premier Pat Binns announced today the 10 Island companies participating on the Team Canada Atlantic Trade Mission to New England this spring. The purpose of the trade mission is to establish new business partnerships, increase trade and investment and build strategic alliances between businesses in Atlantic Canada and companies located in the New England region.
The 10 companies from Prince Edward Island participating on the trade mission include: Amalgamated Dairies Limited; Cardinal Manufacturing Inc.; F.B. Welding Inc.; GeoNet Technologies Inc.; Island Controls Limited; Lou-Mar Mouldings; Maritime Mattress Inc.; Seaman's Beverages Limited; Simscape Development Corporation; and Small Fry Snack Foods Inc.
For the second year in a row, Prince Edward Island is coordinating mission activities and logistics on behalf of the Atlantic provinces.
"New England has always been an important market for Prince Edward Island and all of Atlantic Canada," said Premier Binns. "This mission will build on the success of last year's Team Atlantic trade mission; encouraging new business partnerships between Island companies and the New England business community. This presents tremendous opportunities for Island businesses in all sectors."
The Premier went on to say that exporting is an ideal way for companies on Prince Edward Island to increase their sales and profitability. "I anticipate great rewards for the companies participating on the mission," said Premier Binns. "As a result of last year's trade mission to New England, total sales for Island companies are expected to exceed $2 million, and the long-term benefits and positive reviews of the mission continue to accumulate."
Premier Binns will be joined by Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm, New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord and Newfoundland Premier Brian Tobin. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has accepted an invitation to join the four Premiers and 40 companies from Atlantic Canada as they travel to New England. The Prime Minister will be accompanied by the International Trade Minister Pierre S. Pettigrew.
The Team Canada Atlantic mission is an initiative of the Conference of Atlantic Premiers in cooperation with the Alliance of Manufacturers and Exporters Canada. The trade mission is being funded by the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). The four-day mission will begin in Boston, Massachusetts on May 8 and will move to Providence, Rhode Island and New Haven, Connecticut before wrapping up in Braintree, Massachusetts on May 11.