22 June 2009
Moncton, New Brunswick
A delegation of 17 companies and organizations from Atlantic Canada's aerospace and defence industry have returned from the 48th International Paris Air Show – Le Bourget with invaluable business contacts and potential agreements for future business.
The delegation from Atlantic Canada's aerospace and defence industry were in France to explore international business opportunities and build business relationships with some of the most innovative companies in the world.
During the show, Atlantic Canadian companies showcased their products and services to an international audience. They also participated in market familiarization briefings, roundtable discussions with key industry specialists and various networking events.
"This trade mission to the 2009 International Paris Air Show was a great success," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. "Delegates both built upon existing relationships and established new contacts. Their participation raises the profile of the Atlantic aerospace and defence industry in international markets, helping ensure that the aerospace and defence industry remains a vital and growth-oriented sector in Atlantic Canada."
Mark Booth, co-chair of the Atlantic Alliance of Aerospace & Defence Associations, said that the 2009 trade mission to the Paris Air Show has been one of the most successful to date for his organization. "We had 17 companies and organizations from across the region, including six that had never been to Le Bourget before. All of the Atlantic Canadian participants were able to renew existing business contacts and established new ones."
The rapidly growing aerospace and defence industry is an important economic sector in Atlantic Canada, generating more than $1 billion in export revenues annually and employing upwards of 10,000 highly skilled workers. The industry has also seen export sales increase by 189 per cent between 2001 and 2008.
Held every two years at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France, the Paris Air Show is a premier trade event for the global aerospace industry. It is one of the world's most and best internationally attended trade shows for the world's aerospace equipment and technology producers and manufacturers.
The ACOA-led trade mission to the Paris Air Show was organized in cooperation with the Aerospace Association of Prince Edward Island, on behalf of the Atlantic Alliance of Aerospace and Defence Associations.
A delegation of 17 Atlantic Canadian aerospace and defence companies and organizations have returned home following a successful trade mission to Paris, France. They attended the Paris Air Show, an international trade show for aerospace equipment and technology.
Mission delegates were able to establish and build business contacts and take part in a number of industry-related meetings, roundtables and information sessions.
Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, said that these kinds of trade missions are a catalyst for business development and play an important role in enhancing our region's competitiveness and export potential.
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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
Following is a list of the Atlantic Canadian companies and organizations that participated in the ACOA-led trade mission to the 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)
