When the original idea of building homes abroad with Atlantic Canadian products was conceived, the main focus was marketing to the Japanese market. Today, during the trade mission to Eastern Europe, Atlantic Canada Home Inc. expanded that focus to include Poland.
The agreement was officially signed in Warsaw, Poland, today with Steve Dec, a Polish businessman. The deal will see a model home built one hour outside Warsaw by the spring of 1999. The $150,000 model home will provide a showcase for Atlantic Canada Home materials and Mr. Dec will act as the exclusive agent in Poland to promote Atlantic Canada Home's building materials and services.
"This agreement provides a very crucial step for us in creating new markets for Atlantic Canadian products," said Rob Oakie, Manager, Atlantic Canada Home Inc. "We have been successful in selling complete sets of materials and services in Japan and were interested in expanding to new markets. This deal is proof that our products are attractive to other countries as well."
The Government of Prince Edward Island, through the Canada/PEI Trade Development Centre, supports established, new and potential exporters, such as Atlantic Canada Home, by acting as a catalyst and focal point for the collection and distribution of information on export markets; providing export awareness, education, and training; market entry and development initiatives; and the providing practical export marketing advice to businesses in Prince Edward Island. The Trade Development Centre's primary objectives are to increase the number of exporters on PEI, as well as increase the revenues exporters receive for their foreign sales.
"The Atlantic Canada Home project benefits many companies from across the region. The products and services that will be promoted through this agreement come from a wide range of Atlantic Canadian companies," notes Premier Binns. "We are pleased to be able to assist Atlantic Canada Home in pursuing new markets."
The Atlantic Canada Home project was launched in 1995 as a co-operative promotional program by the federal government and the four Atlantic provinces to open up the Japanese market for Atlantic building materials. The program was funded through the Canada/Atlantic Provinces Cooperation Agreement on International Business Development (IBD) and by participating company membership fees. In April of 1997, Atlantic Canada Home was privatized and became Atlantic Canada Home Inc., a private not for profit company owned by the member companies. Until recently, the entire focus has been on Japan.