At the Council of Maritime Premiers' meeting today in Charlottetown, the premiers announced that they will be leading a trade mission to southern New England states in May 2000.
This mission into southern New England will be the second of its type. In April 1999, the four Atlantic premiers, along with ten company representatives from each province, visited the four northern New England states. Atlantic companies met with over 300 companies in New England and generated immediate sales of $2.2 million, and sales anticipated in the short term in excess of $28 million. Information gathered from companies which participated in that mission clearly show that the organization and format was extremely useful for firms seeking to enter the New England market.
"New England is a key trading partner for Atlantic Canada, and we must support our business sector in their endeavour to build on existing partnerships and form new alliances to open new markets into the United States," stated Premier Binns. Commencing in Boston, Massachusetts, business meetings will be held in Southern Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; and Stamford, Connecticut over the span of 4 days. Ten companies from all sectors in each Atlantic province will be recruited to participate in this mission.
During the mission, governments will also be taking advantage of networking opportunities to pursue investment objectives.
Previous communications with Premier Tobin confirmed Newfoundland and Labrador's intent to participate in this second trade mission to New England.
For more information, contact: Kim Thomson, Information Officer, Council of Maritime Premiers, at (902) 424-7590 (phone), (902) 424-8976, or by E-mail: kthomson@cmp.ca