A pre-mission briefing and training session was held in Charlottetown today for participants of upcoming trade missions destined for Boston, Ireland and New England, as well as companies involved in the reverse trade event called Nordic Days. Trade Team PEI coordinated today's activities which included a presentation on getting maximum benefit from trade missions, basic exporting information for first-time participants and event-specific sessions for each trade mission.
The noon luncheon provided an opportunity for the Island companies to network with one another and share exporting information. Mr. Shawn Murphy, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough, on behalf of the Honourable Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), commended the group for the initiative they are taking in increasing business opportunities for Island firms.
"Prince Edward Island companies have the products and services that can compete in the global marketplace. Trade missions are an important step to help Island businesses gain access to new markets which will result in new jobs for Islanders," said Mr. Murphy.
Prince Edward Island Premier Pat Binns, who is currently scheduled to participate in the trade mission to Ireland, also addressed the group, noting the pay-off that trade missions can have for the participating companies and the entire provincial economy.
"I'm a strong believer in the "nothing ventured, nothing gained philosophy." If we don't physically go to these new markets, meet with the organizations and show them the quality that our Island companies bring to the table, then we risk not making those deals that inject millions of dollars into our economy," said the Premier. "By venturing into new export markets, you are increasing your company's potential for development and growth."
Creative Esthetics President Cathy Rose knows firsthand the opportunities that a trade mission can hold, even for a small Island company. Since participating in a Boston trade mission in February of this year, Creative Esthetics has hired two new employees to handle the orders created from just one export contract valued at $500,000 annually.
"The results our company got from that one trade mission far exceeded my expectations," said Rose. "We secured orders for a couple of thousand units annually which will help the company grow. The experience has also given us the confidence to explore more opportunities."
Trade Team PEI provides services to help Island businesses achieve success in global markets including export preparation services, market information and intelligence, export counselling and international financing.