The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is investing $253,300 to help Atlantic Canadian aerospace and defence companies explore market opportunities at the 48th International Paris Air Show – Le Bourget.
Led by ACOA, a delegation of 17 companies and organizations from across Atlantic Canada will attend the Paris Air Show from June 15-21, 2009.
"The aerospace and defence sector is growing rapidly in our region, bringing new investment, innovation and skilled jobs to Atlantic Canada," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. "The Paris Air Show is one of the leading events of its kind in the world, and the Government of Canada, through ACOA is committed to working with our Atlantic Canada companies to help them to extend their reach, build on established relationships and showcase their impressive capabilities to an international clientele seeking the exceptionally reliable, high value partnerships our firms offer."
The aerospace and defence industry generates more than $1 billion in export revenues annually and employs more than 10,000 highly skilled and specialized employees in Atlantic Canada. The industry has also seen export sales increase by 189 per cent between 2001 and 2008.
In addition to showcasing their products and services, Atlantic Canadian companies will take part in market familiarization briefings and roundtable exchanges with key industry specialists. Most importantly, they will have the opportunity to network and prospect new business relationships with some of the most innovative companies in the world in one of the world's foremost aerospace marketing venues.
The ACOA-led trade mission is being organized in cooperation with the Aerospace Association of Prince Edward Island, on behalf of the Atlantic Alliance of Aerospace and Defence Associations (AAADA).
"The Paris Air Show is the premier event of its kind and provides direct exposure to Atlantic companies to potential clients from around the world," said Mark Booth, Co-Chair of the AAADA. "Atlantic Canada's aerospace and defence industry has grown significantly over the past few years and taking part in these types of high profile events helps us to strengthen the place we occupy within the global market place."
FOR BROADCAST USE:
A delegation of 17 companies and organizations from Atlantic Canada's aerospace and defence industry will participate in the 48th International Paris Air Show from June 15-21. Led by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, mission participants will showcase the exceptional capabilities of Atlantic Canada's aerospace and defence companies at one of the world's foremost aerospace marketing venues. Most importantly, Atlantic companies will have the opportunity to network and prospect new business relationships with some of the most innovative aerospace companies from around the world.
The mission is being organized by the Aerospace Association of Prince Edward Island, on behalf of the Atlantic Alliance of Aerospace and Defence Associations and in association with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
-30-
INFORMATION:
Robert Bourgeois
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-6394
Mark Booth
Co-Chair
Atlantic Alliance of Aerospace and Defence Associations
902-436-1333
MEDIA BACKGROUNDER
Following is a list of the Atlantic Canadian companies and organizations that participated in the ACOA-led trade mission to the 48th International Paris Air Show:
Nova Scotia
CartNav Solutions (Halifax)
Composites Atlantic (Lunenburg)
Dalhousie University (Halifax)
Deep Vision (Dartmouth)
IMP Aerospace (Enfield)
Membertou Corporate Division (Halifax)
New Brunswick
APEX Industries (Moncton)
CanLink Aviation (Saint John)
Enterprise Fredericton (Fredericton)
The Greater Fredericton Airport (Fredericton)
Newfoundland and Labrador
Department of National Defence International Training
(Goose Bay)
ID Blue (St. John's)
Northstar Network (St. John's)
Provincial Aersopace (St. John's) Q5 Systems (St. John's)
Rutter Technologies (St. John's)
Prince Edward Island
Vector Aerospace (Summerside)
