Firms Give Atlantic Flavour to World
Thirteen Nova Scotia companies will showcase their products to more than 12,000 visitors and prospective buyers at the North American premiere of one of the world''s largest trade shows, next Sunday to Tuesday.
They will be among 25 companies from across Atlantic Canada who will go to Montreal to initiate new contacts and present their products at the International Food, Beverage, Wine and Spirits Exhibition, known by its French-language acronym SIAL.
"SIAL Montreal is an important event for Canada, the Atlantic Canadian food industry and Nova Scotia," says Ernest Fage, Nova Scotia Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. "This event will clearly position us to compete in the international arena and provide companies with valuable opportunities to sell products and explore strategic business alliances in a world market."
SIAL''s North American premiere follows its enormous success in Paris, Argentina, Singapore and China. SIAL-Montreal is expected to draw food-sector decision makers from around the globe, with a large audience from the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) market.
Food and beverages from New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island will be promoted at the Atlantic Canada Pavilion.
It will feature product sampling and cooking demonstrations by Chef Richard Chiasson, director of the Atlantic Culinary Institute in northern New Brunswick. Chiasson, a former instructor at the Atlantic Tourism Hospitality Institute''s Culinary Program in Charlottetown, will be using food and beverage products of the participating Atlantic companies.
Nova Scotia products will cover a varied range from seafood to baked goods.
"Atlantic Canada has unique and untapped export potential, says Linda MacDonald, executive director of industry development and business services with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. "Trade events such as SIAL Montreal will assist us to promote the product and service advantages Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada have to offer."
Also adding regional flavour to the Atlantic Canada Pavilion will be P.E.I. fiddler and step dancer Sheila MacKenzie, creating the atmosphere of a real Down East kitchen party.
In addition to the 25 exhibiting Atlantic firms, more than 30 other Atlantic Canadian industry players will be at SIAL-Montreal to participate in a market-information program organized by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Atlantic Canada Export Club.
A series of workshops will foster potential trade partnerships within North America through collaborative production and distribution, new technology, investment and strategic-alliance agreements.
Also as part of the information program, over 50 Canadian trade commissioners from abroad will be on hand at an "Export Café" event to discuss opportunities for Canadian companies.
Export-oriented businesses will be offered a seminar on using information technology to research new markets and products, and to reach a larger number of buyers through the Internet.
Funding support for the event comes from the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces through the Co-operation Agreement on International Business Development.
The information program will also provide workshops on investment, food distribution and food safety, and import-export rules within North America for companies interested in expanding their markets.
Participants in the three-day event are gearing up to make a lasting impression of Atlantic Canada on the thousands of business contacts and visitors expected at SIAL-Montreal. They aim to bring home valuable contracts and industry know-how to further boost production and sales at home.