A delegation of close to 30 Atlantic Canadian companies will participate in the second Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to Washington D.C. from April 25-29, 2004.
The first Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to Washington took place November 2-6, 2003. During that mission, companies met with more than 200 businesses and organizations. Long-term sales from the first Washington, D.C. mission are expected to reach more than $32 million.
"Trade missions are an essential component to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's overall trade and investment strategy," said the Honourable Joe McGuire, Minister for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's (ACOA). "Trade missions enable Atlantic Canadian companies to break into new markets, foster relationships and increase their export capacity. Companies from Atlantic Canada who were on the first mission to Washington will follow-up on business leads, while new exporters will meet with potential partners."
"Missions provide companies with the opportunity to investigate foreign markets and meet face-to-face with qualified potential partners," said Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island. "Several Island companies who have participated in previous missions, including our last one to Washington, D.C., continue to experience impressive individual results. What is so exciting about trade missions is the fact that there is so much potential waiting for us."
During the follow-up mission to Washington, Atlantic Canadian companies will meet with potential buyers, distributors and business partners as well as industry leaders in a variety of target sectors including information and communications technology, biotechnology, consumer products, value-added food products and building and construction products.
Since the Team Canada Atlantic program began in 1999, there has been a total of eight trade missions to the United States. The missions have enabled more than 300 Atlantic Canadian firms to meet with over 2,300 U.S. buyers, agents, and business owners from across the United States, helping to generate $20 million in short term sales and more than $115 million in long term sales.
Team Canada Atlantic partners include: the ACOA; the Atlantic Canada Trade and Convention Center; the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Agriculture and Agri-food Canada; Industry Canada; and the governments of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
For more information, contact Stephen Heckbert, Office of the Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, (613) 948-7293; Shauna MacNeil, Senior Communications Officer, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, (506) 851-6403; or Julie Whitlock, PEI Business Development Inc., (902) 894-0367.