A delegation of seven Atlantic Canadian ocean technology companies is heading to Southampton, U.K. for the Ocean Business 2007 Conference and Exhibition from March 27 – 29, 2007. The companies will be participating in exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations and training sessions to develop their international export performance.

“Canada’s New Government understands the importance of exporting in the Atlantic Canadian ocean technology industry,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “This event provides an excellent opportunity for Atlantic Canadian ocean technology firms to succeed in the international marketplace by expanding their presence in Europe and increasing their exports.”

"These innovative Nova Scotia companies are taking our province's traditional link to the ocean and using technology to apply it to today's world," said Richard Hurlburt, Nova Scotia Minister of Economic Development. "Attending the Ocean Business Conference and Exhibition will help them reach new markets and become more competitive in an increasingly global world."

Ocean Business 2007 is a new event that will be held every two years at the National Oceanography Center in Southampton, U.K. This international event will feature an ocean technology exhibition and incorporate training sessions, in-classroom workshops and on-water demonstrations. New and seasoned Atlantic Canadian ocean technology firms will have the opportunity to enhance, profile, showcase their industry capabilities to international buyers, agents and distributors.

The Atlantic Canadian ocean technology industry exports over 50 per cent of its products and services worldwide. In 2004, sales to Western Europe represented almost seven per cent of the Atlantic Canadian ocean technology industry total sales. Participation in events such as Ocean Business 2007 will help to further develop the success of this industry.

The Atlantic Canadian delegation received support through the Canada/Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA). The IBDA is a federal/provincial export development agreement between the Government of Canada (represented by ACOA, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and Industry Canada) and the four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada. Since 1994, 32 per cent of companies that participated in an IBDA- sponsored trade activity for the first time have since begun exporting internationally; 42 per cent of companies reported an increase in the volume of their exports; and 29 per cent started exporting to new markets as a result of IBDA activity.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

A delegation of seven Atlantic Canadian ocean technology companies is heading to Southampton, U.K. for the Ocean Business 2007 Conference and Exhibition from March 27 – 29. The companies will be participating in exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations and training sessions to develop their international export performance.

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) says Canada’s New Government understands the importance of exporting in the Atlantic Canadian ocean technology industry and this event provides an excellent opportunity to expand the industry presence in Europe and strengthen export performance.

For more information or contact:

Cara Sunderland
Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-2639

Jillian Evans
Marketing Specialist - Trade Group
Nova Scotia Business Inc.
902-424-6685

Background Information Participating companies and organizations:

Nova Scotia

JASCO Research Ltd, Halifax, Scott Carr

Martec METOCEAN, Dartmouth, Greg Conner

ROMOR Atlantic Limited, Dartmouth, Darrin Verge

Ocean Seas Instrumentation Inc., Musquodoboit Harbour, Dan Wellwood

Nova Scotia Business Inc., Halifax, Peter Giffin

Industry Canada, Halifax, Gordon Gale

New Brunswick No registered participants

Prince Edward Island No registered participants

Newfoundland and Labrador

GRI Simulation Inc., St. John’s, Steve Dodd

Marport Canada Inc., St. John’s, Mike Harvey

Oceans Advance Inc., St. John’s, Leslie O’Reilly

Canadian Centre for Marine Communications, St. John’s, Clayton Burry

Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development St. John’s, Darrell O’Neill