June 23, 2006
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Florida is hot with opportunity the first mission in May
was so successful, Team Canada Atlantic (TCA) has decided
to return with another delegation of companies to the
southern state again this fall. The latest trade mission to Orlando and Miami is planned
for October 29-November 2, 2006 and recruitment will begin
in the coming weeks. The second trade mission will allow
repeat companies to follow up on the contacts and
partnerships established last month and allow new
participants to establish and build on new contacts. The Central I-4 Corridor (Tampa/Orlando/Cape Canaveral) and
the Southeast (Miami-Dade/Broward/Palm Beach areas of
Florida offer opportunities in the areas of advanced
manufacturing, including aerospace and defence; agri-food
and seafood; building and construction products; consumer
products; information communications technology; life
sciences; and ocean industries, including boat building."Increasing our exports and creating employment through
trade and investment is a priority for this government.
The work of the Team Canada Atlantic mission supports that
priority," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "A follow-up trade mission to
Florida will help the participating companies to expand
their relationships and partnerships in this important
market. We have an opportunity to build on the success of
the first mission. It is an opportunity for growth that
more Atlantic Canadian companies can capitalize on.""Our Nova Scotia companies developed strong business ties
with Florida companies," said Premier Rodney
MacDonald. "Our entrepreneurs are gaining momentum in an
enormous market, and I expect more solid returns during the
follow-up mission."TCA is a partnership of ACOA, Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada, Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada,
International Trade Canada and the four Atlantic provinces.
It is committed to strengthening the trade and investment
relationship between Atlantic Canada and the United
States. Eleven previous trade missions to the New England states,
Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago have
helped 360 Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs to meet with
close to
3,000 agents and business owners from across the United
States, resulting in export sales of more than $37 million.
FOR BROADCAST USE:Florida is hot with opportunity the first mission in May
was so successful, Team Canada Atlantic (TCA) has decided
to return with another delegation of companies to the
southern state again this fall.The latest trade mission to Orlando and Miami is planned
for October 29-November 2, 2006 and recruitment will begin
in the coming weeks. The second trade mission will allow
repeat companies to follow-up on the contacts and
partnerships established this month and allow new
participants to establish and build on new contacts.TCA is a partnership of ACOA, Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada, Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada,
International Trade Canada and the four Atlantic provinces.
It is committed to strengthening the trade and investment
relationship between Atlantic Canada and the United
States. -30-Visit www.teamcanadaatlantic.com for more information.
For more information, contact:
Shauna MacNeil
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(506) 851-6403
Catherine Caouette
Communications Officer
Nova Scotia Business Inc.
(902) 424-6685
Jennifer Crocker
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
(902) 564 -3917
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATIONTrade and Investment
Canada and the United States share the world's
largest and most comprehensive trading relationship, which
supports more than two million jobs in both countries. Approximately $1.8 billion in trade crosses the
Canada-U.S. border every single day. More than 80 per cent of Atlantic Canada exports
are destined for U.S. markets. Exports create one out of
every three new jobs in Atlantic Canada, and for every $1
million in exports, 8 to 11 full-time positions are
sustained. The United States is the largest foreign investor
in Canada and the most popular destination for Canadian
investment. In 2005, Atlantic Canada sold $393 million worth of
goods to Florida. The top exports to the state were
newsprint, seafood, and oil and gas. Sources: Trade Data Online (www.strategis.gc.ca) and
InfoExportFlorida Florida has a significant and growing presence
in "new economy" sectors, such as: Life Sciences,
Information Technology, Aviation/Aerospace, Homeland
Security/Defence and Financial/Professional Services. Florida has one of the world's most extensive multi-
modal transportation systems, featuring international
airports, deep-water shipping ports, an extensive highway
and rail network, and Kennedy Space Center's standard-
setting Spaceport. If Florida were a country, it would have the 15th
largest economy in the world. Florida has the 8th largest economy in the Western
Hemisphere. Source : Enterprise Florida (www.eflorida.com)
