Business delegation builds trade relationships at Canadian-American conference

FREDERICTON (GNB) - A business delegation from New Brunswick attended a Canadian-American conference in Biloxi, Miss., Aug. 4-6.

The delegation, which included representatives from three companies and officials from Opportunities NB, worked to strengthen private sector trade relationships by participating in the Southeastern United States - Canadian Provinces Conference.

New Brunswick will host the conference in Saint John in June 2025.

Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Greg Turner, who is also minister responsible for economic development and small business, and for Opportunities NB, said this is an opportunity to further solidify New Brunswick's commitment to enhancing cross-border partnerships and driving economic development for both regions.

"Hosting next year's conference is a significant milestone for our province," said Turner. "This will provide us with the opportunity to showcase New Brunswick, and everything it has to offer, as we seek to advance relationships, foster multilateral trade and knowledge-share between the alliance member states and provinces."

The aim of the alliance is to strengthen the long-standing trade and investment relationship between the Southeast United States and Eastern Canada, fostering and sustaining mutually beneficial economic growth. Hosting duties alternate between Canada and the United States each year.

Members of the alliance include Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.

"With 92 per cent of New Brunswick's over $16 billion in exports destined for the United States, strengthening and building this relationship is vitally important," said Traci Simmons, deputy minister of economic development and small business and CEO of Opportunities NB. "New Brunswick is home to world-class companies, who are seeing great success on the world stage, but there is room to do more. Through the Southeastern United States - Canadian Provinces Alliance, we are positioning our province as an investment destination and key trade partner."

The companies that participated in New Brunswick's delegation are Kognitiv Spark, iTacit and Maritime Hydraulic.

"iTacit is used by organizations across numerous industries to make the employee life cycle more productive, efficient and cost effective," said Luke Megarity, president of iTacit. "Our first Southeastern United States - Canadian Provinces Conference was a great success. It has given us the opportunity to make valuable connections including potential partnerships to explore as we continue to grow our business both domestically and internationally."

Opportunities NB is a Crown corporation and the lead economic development agency for the province. It seeks to attract and support opportunities to stimulate economic growth and create jobs by providing support services for businesses.

07-08-24

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