2009-2010

News Release

REF NO.: 222

SUBJECT: Marine Institute welcomes trade delegation from India

DATE: September 2, 2009

The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland (MI) will host a delegation of 14 companies and organizations from India that are taking part in a trade mission to Atlantic Canada from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4.
The mission is organized by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) as a follow up to the successful Atlantic Gateway business mission to India that took place in Feb. 2008.
The objectives of the mission are to promote trade between Atlantic Canada and India, build on the growing international trade potential of the Atlantic Gateway, and examine related business opportunities that can be developed in the short to medium-term.
The trade delegation stops at the Marine Institute on Thursday, Sept. 3. The visit begins at 9:30 a.m. and will include tours of MI’s Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources and the Centre for Marine Simulation, as well as presentations from MI’s School of Ocean Technology, Center for Aquaculture and Seafood Development and the Offshore Safety and Survival Centre. 
“The Marine Institute looks forward to hosting the India trade delegation and welcomes the opportunity to discuss business and applied research ventures with our guests,” said Glenn Blackwood, executive director, Marine Institute. “I want to thank everyone involved with the trade mission, especially delegation head Vijay Kalantri and ACOA, for including the Marine Institute in their visit. We appreciate the chance to help our visitors learn about business opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador and we welcome the opportunity to showcase the Marine Institute, the leading oceans-related post-secondary institution in Canada.” 
The delegation also met with officials from Memorial University from the Office of Student Recruitment and with representatives from the faculties of Business, Engineering, Medicine, Science, Arts and the departments of Co-Operative Education and Distance Education and Learning Technologies and the International Office, among others.
The companies and organizations taking part in the trade mission represent a broad cross-section of India’s economy, including sectors such as information and communications technology, manufacturing and shipping.
“The Government of Canada considers India to be a priority market, and we are strengthening Canada’s relationship with that country by organizing events like the Atlantic Gateway business mission to India and this incoming trade mission of Indian business delegates,” said Peter MacKay, minister of National Defence and minister for the Atlantic Gateway.
Keith Ashfield, minister of state (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), noted that trade between Canada and India has been growing.
“Total exports from Canada to India stood at over $2.3 billion in 2008, an increase of 185 percent compared to 2004. Imports of Indian products into Atlantic Canada doubled in the same time period,” he said.
The trade mission is being organized by ACOA in collaboration with the World Trade Centre Atlantic Canada.
While in the region, the Indian companies will be matched with Atlantic Canadian counterparts to explore new business opportunities, and will participate in a five-day program to learn more about Atlantic Canada, its business community, and the Atlantic Gateway, including visits to Halifax, St. John’s, Moncton and Charlottetown.

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