Figures released today on the impact of the Trade Team PEI mission to Ireland clearly demonstrate the trade mission's resounding success.
Survey results from the eight Island companies who travelled to Dublin from October 5 to 12, 2002 show that revenues of over $4.6 million are expected within the next two years as a direct result of new business contacts made in Ireland. For the same time period, the participating companies also anticipate the creation of 35 jobs as a result of business generated by mission activities.
"The predicted sales and job creation figures are very exciting," said the Hon. Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "It bears repeating that our success in exporting goods and services to international markets has a direct bearing on the economic health of PEI and for all of Atlantic Canada. These efforts are providing a solid foundation for tomorrow, on which to develop beneficial trade and investment opportunities."
"PEI companies have and continue to find great success in international markets," said Mike Currie, Minister of Development & Technology. "The Province is pleased to support Island businesses as they venture into new markets. Their success is of benefit to the entire province and the great results from this recent trade mission to Ireland speaks volumes for exporting opportunities that are to come in the upcoming months and years."
Participants in the Trade Team PEI mission to Ireland were as follows: Atlantic Canada Home, Atlantic Tourism & Hospitality Institute, Charlottetown Metal Products, International Spinners, J.Perry Inc., Royalty Hardwoods, UPEI School of Business, and Immersion Studios.
The work continues for Trade Team PEI as they prepare now for the upcoming trade mission to Chile. In January 2003, up to ten PEI companies and institutions will travel to Chile to build on past successes and to increase exports which will bring new sales and jobs to PEI.
Prince Edward Island companies have been very active in Chile since 1999. Trade missions to Chile, and return visits by delegations from that country, have generated significant and tangible results. Island companies and institutions have exported machinery and provided consulting services with specific concentration in the aquaculture sector.
The Trade Mission to Chile will include the signing of a broad Memorandum of Understanding with the Tenth (X) Region of Chile. With many areas within the Tenth Region being very similar to PEI, a number of opportunities for mutually beneficial projects exist in agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, and tourism.
The trade mission to Ireland and the upcoming mission to Chile are initiatives of Trade Team Prince Edward Island, a partnership of federal and provincial government departments and agencies that offer various forms of export assistance to active and potential exporters. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Prince Edward Island Business Development Inc. are among the partners.