Halifax, NS
March 20, 2008
Team Canada Atlantic is getting ready to do business in Chicago. More than 40 companies and organizations from across Atlantic Canada are expected to participate in the Team Canada Atlantic trade mission, scheduled for November 16-20, 2008.
Companies and organizations interested in participating in this trade mission are invited to attend a market information session to learn more about Team Canada Atlantic and the business and export opportunities in Chicago. A market information session will be held at the World Trade and Convention Centre (Suite 205) in Halifax, NS, from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on April 9, 2008. Interested companies can visit www.teamcanadaatlantic.com for more information.
“The Government of Canada continues to invest in initiatives that help Atlantic Canadian exporters to expand their international markets and enhance their competitiveness,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “Our Team Canada Atlantic trade missions help raise the profile of Atlantic Canada’s high-quality goods and services in the U.S. market and assist our efforts to build trading partnerships. Previous trade missions have resulted in total export sales of approximately $41 million for Atlantic Canadian companies.”
“My experience during the last Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to Boston gave me a first-hand view of the value the missions provide,” said Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald. “After seeing the 11 Nova Scotia companies in action meeting with potential brokers, agents, buyers, strategic partners and distributors to build relationships and increase their exports I can say that Team Canada Atlantic trade missions provide an invaluable opportunity for companies interested in growing through the U.S. market.”
Chicago is a natural trading partner for Atlantic Canada. The state has a large, affluent market with an economy that is almost entirely service-based. In 2006-07, Atlantic Canadian exports to Chicago totalled more than $417 million or close to two per cent of Atlantic Canada’s total exports.
Team Canada Atlantic is a partnership of ACOA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, and the four Atlantic provinces. Team Canada Atlantic is committed to strengthening the trade and investment relationship between Atlantic Canada and the United States.