Atlantic Export Development Programs Target Increased Export Sales

Asia and Europe Market Development Programs are Helping Atlantic Canadian Businesses Explore New Global Markets

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Atlantic Canada (July 16, 2021) – The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce today announced that the Asia Market Development Program (AMDP) is accepting applications from Atlantic Canada export experienced companies who wish to access new markets in South Korea, Japan and the ASEAN countries. The AMDP will build on the successes of the Europe Market Development Program (EMDP) by continuing to provide a focussed gateway approach to developing new markets.

Twenty Atlantic Canadian companies are already in the process of executing individually tailored strategic market-entry plans to diversify and grow their export sales to Europe. For a fraction of the true cost, these companies are taking advantage of professional, in-market trade development consulting services being provided by the EMDP.

The Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provincial governments are supporting the EMDP and the AMDP through investments from the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Agreement. The objective of both programs is to provide export-experienced businesses with guided trade development services to quickly identify export markets and create new sales connections.

“The Government of Canada is committed to finding new opportunities for Atlantic Canadian exporters to expand their sales in international markets,” said the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA. “Today’s announcement demonstrates the shared commitment of the federal and Atlantic provincial governments to help the region’s small- and medium-sized businesses compete and succeed in the global marketplace.”

“The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce is excited to play a coordinating role in increasing Atlantic exports,” said Glenn Davis, Export Markets Program Manager. “By providing businesses with access to in-depth market information and pre-qualified sales connections, these programs will open doors to new sales opportunities across multiple countries, most of which are tariff-free.”
From identifying promising markets to assisting with effective marketing, conforming with local regulation, setting up distribution, and assisting with closing sales, the AMDP and EMDP can provide dedicated professional advice for Atlantic businesses who are looking for opportunities to diversify and increase their revenue streams.

“Atlantic Canadian companies can rely on theses programs to significantly reduce the time spent developing Asia and Europe as potential markets,” said Sadie Perron, CEO of Opportunities New Brunswick.  “In collaboration with an in-market consultant, exporters can expect to identify the most promising markets and establish connections with new clients in a period of a couple of months.”

To make exporters aware of emerging trends and opportunities, the program commissioned reports of the overall market and identifies the most promising sectors for Atlantic Canadian companies. The webinars and market studies are available on the AMDP and EMDP webpages to help inform companies who are looking to expand their reach. If the market studies demonstrate a potential, exporters who want to apply for the market development program will receive a one-hour no commitment consultation with the in-market trade consultant and receive a proposed services agreement before officially signing onto the program.

“Exporting has been a key driver behind Nova Scotia’s economic prosperity, with trade representing 37% of the province’s GDP in 2019,” said Laurel Broten, President & CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI). “NSBI’s work with clients across the province, Canada’s trade agreements, and our partnerships in key international markets – including this additional market development program focused on Asia – positions Nova Scotia companies for continued export success.”

Because the short-term outlook for travel outside Canada and trade shows is unclear, the AMDP and EMDP are effective alternatives to traditional trade missions. Once accepted into the program, businesses will be provided with up to 20 days of in-market trade consulting to assist in creating an informed market entry strategy. In developing the strategy, companies will be connected to complementary export development resources to support continued export expansion beyond the limits of the programs.

“Providing support in assessing new export sales opportunities made perfect sense to us,” said the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister for Industry, Energy and Technology. “Tariff-free markets with hundreds of millions of consumers that can be reached easily from Atlantic Canada are too attractive to ignore. Working with a consultant located in target markets will provide first-hand market and regulatory knowledge to ensure our exporters quickly get in front of the right people.”

“Breaking into markets as large as Asia and Europe requires a combination of knowledge and experience in making the right connections,” said Stefanie Corbett, CEO of Innovation PEI. “The 20 days of professional trade consulting services will open new doors that companies might otherwise be unaware of.”

The AMDP is funded by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provincial governments through a non-repayable contribution of $600,000 from the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Agreement. Both the EMDP and the AMDP are complemented by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Trade Commissioner Service and provincial export development agencies to maximize access to services and supports during and following participation in the programs. Businesses that don’t qualify for the program will be referred to other training or supports to expand their export readiness.

Increasing the amount and diversity of export sales is one component of the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy. Both the Europe and the Asian Export Development Programs are intended to assist exporters penetrate new markets and identify new customers, take advantage of positive perceptions of Canadian products and services by foreign consumers and businesses

About the Atlantic Chamber – The Voice of Atlantic Canadian Business

The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is the largest accredited business organization of influence in Atlantic Canada representing more than 16,000 businesses through its network of 94 Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade and 31 corporate partners in the four Atlantic Provinces.
For more than 125 years, ACC has served as the voice of Atlantic Canadian business and actively partners with its members and other organizations to help create a strong, vibrant, and growing Atlantic Canada. ACC does this through strategic advocacy that shapes policy issues that impact business, the delivery of high-value programs and services to support business, and the facilitation and promotion of initiatives for business that contribute to sustainable economic growth in the region.
 
For more information please contact:
Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Glenn Davis, Asia/Europe Market Development Programs Manager
(902) 292-0121
Glenn@atlanticchamber.ca