Federal and provincial trade investments helping exporters regain markets

News release

Atlantic exporters developing innovative ways to reach buyers and markets in spite of COVID-19 restrictions

Moncton, New Brunswick, December 16, 2020 – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Atlantic Canada’s manufacturers, processors and service providers need to find new ways of doing business. They must adopt innovative technologies to help them regain lost markets due to COVID-19 and diversify their international customers and suppliers.

The Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces today announced a total investment of more than $4.8 million in 14 new projects to help Atlantic Canadian exporters increase production, create jobs, regain markets and return to a healthier, safer and more prosperous future.

The projects support the development of tools and resources to help Atlantic Canadian exporters find new ways to market and sell their products to buyers around the world. Among others, the investments will enable exporters to create or participate in virtual spaces to market their products and services to buyers anywhere, reducing or eliminating the need to travel and helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

For example, the Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defence Association is delivering three dynamic virtual regional events on behalf of its members. Aerospace and defence firms in the region will connect with local, national and global audiences by using an online platform to meet clients and develop new market opportunities.

The Atlantic Canada Chamber of Commerce is recruiting for and leading the design, development and implementation of a new Europe Market Development Program (EMDP). The EMDP will equip up to 40 Atlantic Canadian export-ready companies with resources to support the development and execution of tailored Europe market entry strategies. Exporters enrolled in the program will get individualized business development plans, which they will carry out with the support of professional in-market expertise.

The Atlantic Association of Community Business Development Corporations is working with federal and provincial partners to implement an Atlantic Canada Site Certification Program to increase foreign direct investment and investment readiness in Atlantic Canada. The program will help connect foreign investors to development ready, high quality certified sites across the region.

Atlantic Canada is leading the country in reopening its economy and exports play an important part in each province’s recovery plans. Today’s announcement builds on the continued partnership through the Atlantic Growth Strategy to grow the region’s marketing, product development and capacity building initiatives to increase the reach and volume of Atlantic Canada exports.

Quotes

“As countries around the world reopen their economies, we are committed to supporting our exporters, ensuring they are well-positioned to take advantage of these opportunities. We are pleased to work with the four Atlantic provincial governments to ensure the region’s exporters have all the tools and resources they need to regain markets lost to COVID-19. Working together, we will rise above this crisis so that our regional economies can bounce back even stronger than before.”

– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Atlantic Canadian manufacturers and processors rely on international trade to grow their businesses and create good middle-class jobs. These investments are excellent examples of government working together with industry to find innovative ways to keep goods and services flowing so that our businesses, workers and all Canadians can quickly get on the road to a sustainable recovery.”

– The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade

 “As our province adjusts to the realities of a world with COVID-19, we need to find new and innovative ways to do business, reach buyers and regain markets for Nova Scotia products and services. We are working hard with businesses and manufacturers in our province to adapt to these new realities and changing markets so our economy can continue to rebound and grow. These important investments and working together as a region with the federal government will help in these efforts so we can all succeed.”

– The Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia

“As governments across the globe respond to changing patterns of production and trade, we understand that Atlantic collaboration plays an essential role in our collective ability to adapt, recover and grow. While COVID-19 has presented unique and unprecedented challenges for New Brunswick’s exporting community, our companies have demonstrated their resiliency alongside their ability to adapt and seize new opportunities. Our government remains committed to supporting the continued growth of New Brunswick’s world class companies as they compete and win on the world stage.”

 – The Honourable Blaine Higgs, Premier of New Brunswick

“Now is the time for us to work together, across governments and with industries, as we adjust to the pandemic and seize the opportunity to chart a more innovative and prosperous path forward for our province. Prince Edward Island is renowned for its quality exports. These strategic investments will further our efforts to support Island manufacturers, processors and businesses – those who drive our economy – regain important market share and explore new avenues for business development.”

– The Honourable Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island

“Trade and investment activity provides important productivity and employment boosts for our economy. Now more than ever it is important that we support and promote our exporters and innovators who are working hard to deliver their world-class products and services internationally. A strong and swift economic recovery depends on it.”

The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Quick facts

  • Merchandise exports from Atlantic Canada fell 4.1 percent in September 2020 compared to September 2019, which was much better than August’s year-over-year drop of 23.1 percent.

  • The investments announced today support the goals and objectives of the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy.

  • The projects are funded through the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Agreement (ATIGA), a five-year funding agreement between the Government of Canada and the governments of the four Atlantic Provinces to build the region’s export capacity, diversify markets and increase exports as well as the number of exporters.

  • These investments will also help Atlantic exporters take advantage of opportunities resulting from the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which came into force July 1, 2020.

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Contacts

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
Catherine.Mounier-Desrochers@canada.ca

Cathy Thériault
Media Relations
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
cathy.theriault@canada.ca
506-377-4964

Kristina Shannon
Office of the Premier
Government of Nova Scotia
902-221-3719
Kristina.shannon@novascotia.ca

Tracey Suley
Director – Marketing and Communications
Opportunities NB
506-238-1403
www.ONBCanada.ca

Amanda Hamel
Executive Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Office of the Premier
Government of Prince Edward Island
902-368-4400
ahamel@gov.pe.ca

Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

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