Team Canada Atlantic commenced its first trade mission to New York yesterday as delegates representing companies from all four Atlantic provinces arrived in the city for a week full of meetings and networking events.
"Interest in this trade mission has been incredible, with 38 companies and organizations taking part as full mission delegates. In fact, because of the demand, we have opened up the mission to include 12 associate participants," noted the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "All of these representatives will act as ambassadors for Atlantic Canada, by demonstrating that our region is open for business and investment."
The trade mission was officially launched at a delegate briefing last evening which helped prepare the participants for their business dealings during the trade mission."We are here because there is immense opportunity in the New York area and trade missions are an ideal vehicle to open the door to that opportunity," said Premier Pat Binns, who is leading the Prince Edward Island delegation. "Over the past three years, Team Canada Atlantic trade missions have resulted in the creation of 320 full-time jobs in Prince Edward Island. Those are the kind of results we are working toward."
"Atlantic Canadian businesses continue to make inroads into the ever important American marketplace," said Michael Philips, Canada's Consul General in New York. "Team Canada Atlantic 2002 offers a significant opportunity for participants to foster business relationships in the metro New York region."
With a population of 21 million, metro New York City is the largest urban centre in the United States. It is also the business and financial capital of the world with 97 of the Fortune 500 corporations headquartered there.
The 10 Prince Edward Island companies participating in the trade mission are Aquastor, Atlantic Tourism & Hospitality Institute, DeltaWare Systems, Drake Truck Bodies, Summerside Industrial Fabricators, Millworks Canada, Palmer Seafood, Prince Edward Aqua Farms, PEI Gourmet Mushrooms and Triple Threats Musical Theatre School.
The trade mission continues through Thursday, May 23. The Team Canada Atlantic Mission to New York City is a co-operative effort between ACOA, the four Atlantic Provinces, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Industry Canada and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.
Additional information on Team Canada Atlantic's trade mission to New York City can be found at www.TeamCanadaAtlantic.com.