MONCTON, N.B., – A delegation of ten Atlantic Canadian companies from the ocean technology industry wrapped up a successful business mission to the annual Oceans 2011 MTS/IEEE conference and trade show.

While at the event, Atlantic representatives had the opportunity to showcase their products to international buyers and make key business contacts. Atlantic Canadian delegates took part in a wide range of training and marketing opportunities. Highlights included exhibiting at an Atlantic Canadian pavilion and hosting a networking reception to raise the Atlantic industry’s international profile and strengthen global trade relations. Delegates also participated in a special networking event with Chinese delegates to further explore opportunities in the Chinese market.

“Promoting Canada’s, and in particular Atlantic Canada’s, strengths and expertise to international business audiences is a key part of our government’s job creation plan,” said the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie. “We are firmly committed to helping Atlantic Canada’s ocean technology businesses continue to grow, attract investment and compete globally. The investment we are providing is helping them do just that. Their success will grow our economy and create new, well-paying jobs for Canadian workers.”

“The oceans technology industry is an important sector in Nova Scotia, with tremendous economic development opportunities," said the Honourable Percy Paris, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "Our priority is creating jobs and boosting the economy, and to do that, we need to focus our efforts in high-growth areas such as oceans technology.”

This is the fourth Atlantic Canadian trade mission to the Oceans fall conference and exhibition. Past missions have been extremely successful for Atlantic Canadian companies. Last year’s mission alone generated more than $295,000 in on-site sales and a projected $5.9 million in sales over the following year.

“As a result of our participation in Oceans 2011, Compusult has made some new contacts, identified some new business prospects, followed up on previous leads, and conducted a preliminary assessment of potential business opportunities,” said Paul Mitten, Vice-President of Compusult Limited.

Organized by the Marine Technology Society (MTS) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the annual international technology conference and exhibition is held in different venues in North America and draws upwards of 2,000 international delegates from the marine science, technology and engineering sectors. This year’s event was held in Kona, Hawaii and ran from September 19-22, 2011.

Annually, the ocean technology industry in Atlantic Canada contributes more than $150 million to the region’s gross domestic product (GDP), and directly creates an estimated 2,200 jobs.

An investment of $116,000 for the Oceans 2011 business mission was provided through the Canada-Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA). The IBDA is a federal/provincial agreement between the Government of Canada (ACOA, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and Industry Canada) and the four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada, and is designed to help Atlantic Canadian businesses enter, explore and succeed in international markets. The IBDA is the leading component of a pan Atlantic effort to foster business relations, attract foreign investment and nurture technological co-operation.

INFORMATION:
Natalie Belliveau
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-7045
natalie.belliveau@acoa-apeca.gc.ca