A delegation of 45 Atlantic Canadian companies and organizations arrived in Chicago, Illinois, yesterday. The delegates are participating in the first Team Canada Atlantic (TCA) trade mission to a market that has it all: the busiest airports, a strong business base, a diversified economy, and endless business possibilities. The TCA delegation is in Chicago until Thursday, April 14, 2005.
“Atlantic Canadian companies increasingly recognize that exporting is key to success in business,” said the Honourable JoeMcGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “Trade missions provide an opportunity for our companies to break into new export markets and improve their bottom line. That is why ACOA is proud to support trade and investment initiatives like Team Canada Atlantic. We know this approach works – we have the results to back it up. Given that, we have high expectations for this mission.”
Senator Marilyn Trenholme Counsell is taking part in the mission on behalf of Minister McGuire.
“Prince Edward Island’s exporting experience has demonstrated that, by being committed to producing quality products and services, we can be competitive in the global marketplace,” said Premier Pat Binns. “Participating Island companies recognize the potential to increase their sales by meeting face-to-face with contacts in the Chicago area. It is an exciting market with a diverse economy and I, along with our Island companies, look forward to exploring investing opportunities here.”
Over the next few days, companies participating in the trade mission will have the opportunity to meet with businesses and industry leaders in a number 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.
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 nearly 2,500 buyers, agents and business owners from across the United States, resulting in export sales in excess of $35 million.
Complete List of Participating Companies and Organizations
Prince Edward Island
Canadian Mussels, Ltd. (Montague); Fiber Connections Inc. (Summerside); Holland College (Charlottetown); PEI Mussel King (Morell); Ravenwood Stairways (Elmsdale); Storemark Quality Fixtures (Pooles Corner); Vision Research Inc. (Charlottetown)
Nova Scotia
Abridean Inc. (Halifax); IQUB/The Bitz (Sackville); C-Vision (Halifax); EdenValley Farms (ACACo-operative Ltd.) (Kentville); Fineline Fuel Systems (Truro); Fundy Composites Limited (Halifax); Glenora Distillery (Glenville); Halifax Port Authority (Halifax); Intelivote Systems Inc. (Dartmouth); LaHave Audio Products (Bridgewater); Music Management International (Dartmouth); Nova Scotia Textiles Ltd. (Windsor); Trail Blazer (Dartmouth); Van Dyk’s Health Juice Products Ltd. (Kentville)
Newfoundland and Labrador
Compusult Limited (Mount Pearl); iDance (St. John’s); Labrador Preserves (Forteau); Meditrain (St. John’s); Nearshore Atlantic (St. John’s); Systems 'N' Solutions Ltd. (St. John’s); Terra Nova Industries Limited (Glovertown); thedog8it! (St. John’s); Torngait Ujaganniavingit Corporation (Nain); Unity Bay Energy Ltd. (St. John’s); Verafin Inc. (St. John’s), Wholesome Dairy Limited (Stephenville)
New Brunswick
Apex Industries Inc. (Moncton), Computer Generated Solutions, Canada Ltd. (Saint John); Craig Manufacturing Ltd. & Microbotic Digital Machining (Hartland); GoSource (Moncton); Granite Town Farms Ltd. (St. George); LabMentors Inc. (Fredericton); L.B. Manufacturing Inc. (Dieppe); Etang Ruisseau Bar Ltd. (Shippagan); MedBridge Systems (Fredericton); Northumberland Co-operative Ltd. (Miramichi); Ocean Legacy Inc. (L’Etang); Saint John Port Authority (Saint John)