Export Rally To Be Held in Truro

The Department of Economic Development and Tourism is staging an export rally for both new and experienced exporters, March 24-25 at the AgriTECH Park in Truro. The rally will help companies identify export opportunities and provide a 'how-to' approach for seizing them. The rally concept is a new one for the department and is aimed at further advancing the tremendous progress Nova Scotia exporters are making on the trade front.

"Last year, we helped more Nova Scotia companies make their way into more foreign markets than ever before," said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "We want to keep the momentum going and the export rally is an important part of it."

The department's export rally program has something for everyone

• from potential exporters to seasoned veterans of international trade. The plenary sessions will feature a panel of trade experts who will share their success stories and host a no-holds barred question and answer session with the audience, and three tracks of one-hour information sessions and panel discussions will run concurrently. Those attending are free to choose whichever topic is of greatest interest. Sector experts will be available for one-on-one consultations throughout the entire event, as are opportunities to explore trade information sources and take guided Internet market research tours.

In 1998, Economic Development and Tourism either led or participated in 40 trade missions, including 11 to the province's priority market of Boston. These missions resulted in sales of $94 million for Nova Scotia companies and more than 1,300 new jobs for Nova Scotians. The taxpayer's investment in the missions was $579,000. The return was $6 million in direct and indirect provincial taxes.

For registration information and further details on the export rally, please visit the EDT website at www.gov.ns.ca/ecor/pubs/comm/export_rally/index.html .