A delegation of 14 companies and organizations from India returned home after a successful trade mission to Atlantic Canada. While in the region, delegation members established valuable contacts with Atlantic Canadian business leaders and learned more about the Atlantic Gateway's growing role in supporting Canada's international trade objectives.
The trade mission, organized by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), took place from August 31 to September 4, 2009 as a follow up to the successful Atlantic Gateway business mission to India in February 2008. ACOA organized the trade mission in collaboration with the World Trade Centre Atlantic Canada.
While in Atlantic Canada, the Indian companies – which represented a cross section of India's economy –were matched with Atlantic Canadian counterparts to explore new business opportunities. They also participated in a five- day program to learn more about Atlantic Canada's business community and the Atlantic Gateway.
“Expanding exchanges with India is an important part of the Government of Canada's Global Commerce Strategy and a key target of the Atlantic Gateway,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “By increasing scientific and educational exchanges, boosting trade, and increasing our collaboration on global and regional issues, both nations will benefit over the long term.”
“India's economy is growing very quickly, which makes that country a very attractive market for Atlantic Canadian companies. I was particularly pleased to see how many different sectors were represented and how well the Indian and Atlantic Canadian companies interacted with one another,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State for ACOA.
Total exports from Canada to India stood at over $2.3 billion in 2008, an increase of 185% compared to 2004. Over the same time period, imports of Indian products into Atlantic Canada rose by 103%. In 2008, the value of Atlantic Canadian products exported to India totaled over $120 million.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
A delegation of 14 companies and organizations from India returned home after a successful trade mission to Atlantic Canada from August 31 to September 4. During the mission, the delegation established valuable contacts with Atlantic Canadian business leaders and learned more about the Atlantic Gateway. The ACOA-led trade mission was a follow up to the successful Atlantic Gateway business mission to India in February 2008.
National Defence and Atlantic Gateway Minister Peter MacKay said both Canada and India stand to reap long term benefits from such exchanges, while ACOA minister Keith Ashfield said he was pleased to see the level of interaction that occurred between the Indian and Atlantic Canadian companies.
The mission was organized in collaboration with the World Trade Centre Atlantic Canada.
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INFORMATION:
Robert Bourgeois
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-6394
MEDIA BACKGROUNDER
Following is a list of Indian companies that took part in the incoming trade mission to Atlantic Canada. Indian Companies All India Association of Industries (AIAI) (Industrial Development) Assystem India Pvt. Ltd. (Aerospace/Automotive/Oil/Gas/Energy) Atlass Freight (Transportation) Crystal Shipping Co Pvt. Ltd. (Shipping/Forwarding) Dighi Port Ltd.(Port) Excellent Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. (Metal Recycling) Global Tech Solutions (Software Outsourcing) India National Ship-owners Association (INSA) (Transportation) Jeena Global Logistics (Retail/Automotive/Apparel and Textiles/Aerospace and Defence) Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Government of India (Government) Orissa International Infrastructure Development Corporation (Government, economic development) Qualsoft Services (Insurance/Healthcare/Manufacturing/Shipping/Software Development and Vending) University of Mumbai (University) World Trade Center(WTC) (Mumbai Trade Promotion)
