The Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to New England kicked off this morning in Boston at a business breakfast for 130 businesses from Atlantic Canada.
While in New England, 10 Island companies will meet with close to 100 businesses in the effort to secure business partnerships and generate sales with New England firms.
In addition to the 10 companies from Prince Edward Island participating on the full mission, 12 additional companies travelled to Boston to take part in a full day of activities with the Prime Minister and the four Atlantic Premiers.
At the kick off breakfast, Premier Pat Binns addressed the crowd of businesses with the other Atlantic Premiers and Trade Minister, Pierre S. Pettigrew. He wished them well in their business pursuits with New England companies.
"As a small business owner, I understand the challenges that small companies face as they begin to export," said Premier Binns. "My personal experience is that the New England market is very accessible to Atlantic Canadian companies. Language, culture, and the legal system are familiar to us. However, what makes New England so attractive is the size of the market, equal to the entire Canadian market, and all within a day's drive for Atlantic companies."
Also part of the day's activities was a business lunch, hosted by the Prime Minister. At the lunch, over 450 businesses from both Atlantic Canada and New England gathered at a reception to discuss partnership opportunities.
The Team Canada Atlantic mission is an initiative of the Council of Atlantic Premiers in cooperation with the Alliance of Manufacturers and Exporters. The trade mission is being funded by the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).