P.E.I. holds Export Day

More than 100 Island entrepreneurs gathered to learn about exporting to international markets this week during Export Day at the P.E.I. Convention Centre.

Export Day (Sept. 14) is a partnership between the provincial government and ACOA that brings together entrepreneurs from across the Island for a day of learning, networking and collaboration.

Charlottetown Metal Products owner Trevor Spinney was one of the entrepreneurs taking part in the gathering.

“Export Day is an excellent chance for local entrepreneurs to better understand and take advantage of opportunities in export markets around the world,” Spinney said. “It gives those entrepreneurs an opportunity to collaborate with other local companies, learn best practices, and understand the challenges that exist when breaking into a new market. It’s been a big help to my company over the years.”

Egmont MP Bobby Morrissey says the federal and provincial governments want to double the number of export-focused companies in Atlantic Canada.

“Companies that export tend to be more innovative, pay higher wages and be more productive,” said Morrissey.

Economic Development and Tourism Minister Heath MacDonald says Island businesses have done a tremendous job accessing new markets and developing new products and technologies.

“We are proud of the exporting successes already achieved by these innovative, hard-working business people who show why Prince Edward Island is mighty,” said MacDonald.

“We will continue to support them with programs like Export Day as they take their products to the world.”

The province set records for international exports each of the last three years and is tracking toward another record in 2017.