News Story Details

July 10, 2012
ATLANTIC CANADA DELEGATION ATTENDS ONE OF WORLD’S LARGEST AIRSHOWS

CHARLOTTETOWN (PEI) - A delegation of 18 companies and organizations from Atlantic Canada’s aerospace and defence industry will be in London, England, from July 9 – 13, to attend the Farnborough International Airshow, one of the largest and best known aeronautics events in the world. At the show, Atlantic Canadian companies and organizations will have the opportunity to establish valuable international contacts, promote their world-class capabilities, and become part of aerospace and defence global supply chains.

“Our Government’s top priority is creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity,” said the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Associate Minister of National Defence and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie). “Our region has a unique opportunity to further develop its expertise in the aerospace and defence sector with the shipbuilding work that will take place in Halifax. We are pleased to support the Atlantic Canadian delegation at the Farnborough Airshow, where our companies will have the chance to establish valuable international contacts.”

“I am pleased to be attending this year's show as the Minister representative of the Atlantic Canadian delegates,” said PEI’s Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allen Roach. “We will be working with this year’s delegates to help capitalize on every business opportunity available at the Farnborough Airshow.”

Held every two years in the United Kingdom, the Farnborough International Airshow is among the world’s largest international tradeshows for aerospace equipment and technology. In 2010, 250,000 visitors attended, including 70 delegations from 44 countries.

While on site, Atlantic delegates will participate in one-on-one business meetings, networking events, market familiarization briefings, round-table discussions with key industry leaders, and site tours. They will also showcase their products and services at an Atlantic Canada pavilion as part of the event’s trade show.

With annual revenues of over $1 billion and exports to 180 countries around the world, the aerospace and defence industry is a major driver of Atlantic Canada’s economy. The region is home to more than 200 innovative aerospace and defence firms that provide highly skilled jobs to over 10,000 Atlantic Canadians in areas like maintenance, repair and overhaul, advanced manufacturing, training and simulation and professional engineering services.

“Aerospace and defence industry companies from around the world attend the Farnborough International Airshow,” said Brian Thompson, Senior Vice-President, Commercial at Vector Aerospace, which has a significant operation in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. “We look forward to meeting with existing and potential clients so that we can solidify our company’s place in the industry’s Global Supply Chain.”

An investment of $120,000 for the business mission was provided through the Canada-Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA). The mission is being organized by the Aerospace and Defence Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Aerospace Association of Prince Edward Island, on behalf of the Atlantic Alliance of Aerospace and Defence Associations.

Support of this mission is part of the commitment of the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces, through the International Business Development Agreement, to help Atlantic Canadian businesses succeed in international markets.  Read more...

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