MONCTON N.B., – A delegation of 20 companies and organizations from the supply and services sector of Atlantic Canada’s offshore technologies industry is heading home from a successful business mission to the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) Brasil, held October 4-6, 2011, in Rio de Janeiro.

While in Brazil, delegates learned about new technological advances for the offshore technologies sector, demonstrated the region’s world-class capabilities to key Brazilian and international industry representatives, and explored opportunities for potential business partnerships.

“Atlantic Canadian companies have a lot to offer world markets, and our Government is proud to work with our provincial partners to support business missions like this one which, as part the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, will help the economy become more vibrant and directly benefit businesses and Atlantic Canadians,” said The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie. “This mission gave these businesses the opportunity to explore and assess the potential in the South American market, a priority market for our country.”

“Economic growth is a priority for our government, and a key part of that includes international trade and engagement in high-growth sectors,” said the Honourable Percy Paris, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. “Following the success of this business mission in Brazil, we look forward to exploring opportunities for partnerships in the offshore technologies industry in this region.”

“As an export driven province, we have to put forward our expertise and our internationally well-known products and services, and lead the way into new and diversified markets,” said the Honourable Paul Robichaud, New Brunswick Deputy Premier and Economic Development Minister. “Our government provides the necessary tools to entrepreneurs and identifies new non-traditional markets. As well, we have established Invest NB to help attract foreign investments. In other words, the New Brunswick government is open for business and ready to support new and existing companies.”

Thanks in part to business missions like this one, Canada-Brazil commercial relations continue to grow. Brazil is Canada’s largest trading partner in South America. In 2010, bilateral trade between the two countries reached $5.9 billion, and two-way investment between them reached $23 billion, driven by more than 400 Canadian companies in Brazil. Exports from Atlantic Canada to Brazil totalled $164 million in 2010.

“It is obvious that the major offshore companies, including their subcontractors and partners, are looking for help and support from the rest of the world. They all expressed a keen interest in Canadian companies and are looking forward to advancing potential opportunities,” said Leonard Pecore, President of Genoa Design International Ltd. “I am personally excited with the interest shown. With careful planning and a commitment to developing relationships, I can see that the market down there can open up to a Canadian company, like ours, that works to gain the trust of the people and the companies they represent. I would encourage other companies to make the investment and visit Brazil. OTC Brasil is an excellent venue to gain introduction.”

OTC Brasil is a new biennial event hosted by the Houston, Texas-based Offshore Technology Conference.

The OTC Brasil business mission was funded through the Canada-Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA), a federal/provincial agreement designed to help Atlantic Canadian businesses enter, explore and succeed in international markets.

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For more information:
Patricia Jreige
Communications Advisor
Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism
902-424-5584
jreigeph@gov.ns.ca

Bruce MacFarlane
Communications New Brunswick
506-444-4606
506-476-1376
bruce.macfarlane@gnb.ca