November 26, 2004 St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador Team Canada Atlantic is getting ready to do business in Chicago. Approximately 40 companies from all over Atlantic Canada will participate in the trade mission, scheduled for April 10-14, 2005. "Chicago is home to 46 of the Fortune 500 companies and is a major distribution centre for the United States and the world," said the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "Exports create one out of every three jobs in Atlantic Canada, which means that trade missions like this one are very important to the continued economic development of our region." "The United States is currently New Brunswick's largest trading partner, and receives about 89 percent of our foreign exports," said Premier Bernard Lord. "I am particularly pleased to be heading to Chicago in April. I had the pleasure of leading the provincial government's first trade delegation to that city last year. This latest mission will give us an excellent opportunity to further build our relationship with Chicago's business community." Chicago businesses offer opportunities for Atlantic Canadians in a variety of sectors including: advanced manufacturing; agriculture; agri-food and seafood; building and construction; consumer products; information and communications technology, and life sciences. Team Canada Atlantic is a partnership of ACOA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada, International Trade Canada and the four Atlantic provinces. Team Canada Atlantic is committed to strengthening the trade and investment relationship between Atlantic Canada and the United States. According to Statistics Canada, Atlantic Canadian exports to the state of Illinois were approximately $255 million in 2003, while total Atlantic Canadian exports to the United States were $15.8 billion. Trade missions have been at the core of the Team Canada Atlantic approach since 1999. Nine trade missions to the New England states, Atlanta, New York, and Washington have helped more than 300 Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs to meet with almost 2,500 buyers, agents and business owners from across the United States, resulting in export sales of $30 million and projected long-term sales of $70 million. FOR BROADCAST USE: Team Canada Atlantic is getting ready to do business in Chicago. Approximately 40 companies from Atlantic Canada will participate in the trade mission, scheduled for April 10-14, 2005. Chicago offers opportunities for Atlantic Canada companies in a variety of sectors including: advanced manufacturing; agriculture; agri-food and seafood; building and construction; consumer products; information and communications technology, and life sciences. -30- Visit www.teamcanadaatlantic.com for more information. For more information, contact: Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941-7241 Tracy Kenney Senior Communications Officer Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (506) 851-2639 Elizabeth Matthews Director of Communications Office of the Premier Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (709) 729-3690 Lynn Evans Director of Communications Innovation, Trade and Rural Development Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (709) 729-4570
