For Immediate Release
June 1, 2016

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Members and partners of NEIA’s Export and International Business Network met today to collaboratively identify and pursue international business opportunities.

“The Export and International Business Network is a group of firms, industry associations, and support agencies working together to compete internationally,” says Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA.

Lomond says the network continues to grow because of the success of the partnership model. “Together, working cooperatively, these organizations can achieve much more than if they were working alone. The industry-led, bottom-up approach has proven effective by maintaining a strong focus on the needs and capacities of individual firms.” Lomond says that the network also benefits from having the Federal and Provincial governments as full partners, ensuring firms are connected to the resources and expertise that they require.

“Supporting local business in their international activities is critical for the province’s economy,” says Lomond. He notes that the domestic market in the province for many products and services is small, and so firms need to export to reach a competitive scale. “Every dollar earned outside of Newfoundland and Labrador by a local firm is new money circulating within the province. These activities have a substantial impact on a local economy, and can contribute significantly to its diversification.”

The Export and International Business Network works to maximize value for local firms through Atlantic Canadian partnerships; builds connections with support agencies as partners; recognizes the linkages between Innovation and international business; and places considerable emphasis on preparation of firms.

“Networking is about making connections and building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. Manufacturers in Newfoundland & Labrador recognize that there are opportunities in global markets, but often do not have the resources or expertise to pursue those opportunities. The Export and International Business Network can provide great value in facilitating international partnerships and create trade through access to public and private sector resources.”
David Haire, Vice President NL Division, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters

The network meeting today included presentations from two Canadian crown corporations to help broaden local industry understanding of available supports and services. The network was joined via teleconference by Andrea Gardella from Export Development Canada and Chris Porter from the Canadian Commercial Corporation. “Being the most eastern and remote province in Canada, through the network we are able to provide our firms with the face time with various support agencies that they wouldn’t get otherwise,” says Lomond.

“Newfoundland and Labrador’s mineral sector relies on exports to bring our products to market and drive long term growth. Today’s event affirms the importance of fostering a collaborative approach in exploring emerging opportunities and expanding Newfoundland and Labrador’s business reach to more international markets.”
Ed Moriarity, Executive Director, Mining Industry NL

The Export and International Business Network’s success has attracted new membership, and its scope has expanded beyond strictly the environmental sector. “Newfoundland and Labrador is a small province. When sectors are able to collaborate, it builds efficiencies, new partnerships, and enables innovation,” says Lomond.

“Cross industry collaboration facilitates learning on export issues, cooperation to reduce costs, and most importantly, partnerships to grow export revenue”
Lin Paddock, Executive Director, Aerospace & Defence Industry Association of Newfoundland & Labrador (ADIANL)

“These international business activities would not have been possible without the support of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the province’s Department of Business, Tourism, Culture, and Rural Development,” says Lomond. The government of Newfoundland and Labrador has supported industry associations in the development of such networks by providing them with partnership brokerage training.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

BACKGROUND

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) formed the Export and International Business Network in 2013. Since that time the network has been very active, growing to over 40 firms and organizations.

The network membership now includes the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters – Newfoundland and Labrador Division (CME-NL), the Aerospace and Defence Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (ADIANL), Mining Industry NL, the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association (NLCA), NEIA, and firms from a variety of economic sectors.

The network organizes information sessions on markets of interest, coordinates incoming international business delegations, facilitates the development of firm-specific market entry strategies, and leads targeted outgoing trade missions. In 2015 alone, NEIA worked with over 25 businesses to develop market entry strategies, and led three separate business development missions.

More information on the Export and International Business Network can be found at https://neia.org/network.

Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
709.237.8190
kieran@neia.org

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