November 9-16, 1996

Between November 9 - 16, the Honourable Guy Brown headed a sixteen-person mission to Barbados and Trinidad. The mission included nine industry participants and representatives from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing (three including the Minister), the Economic Renewal Agency, the International Center of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, and Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada. The industry participants were Nova Agri Associates Ltd., J. W. Mason & Sons, Stirling Fruit Farms Ltd., Scotian Gold Co-operative Ltd., ACA Co-operative/Eastern Protein, Spencer's Island Fruit and Honey, Selwood Green Farm and IMO Foods Ltd..

The objectives of the mission were to:

• increase sales of Nova Scotia agri-food products;
  
• encourage joint ventures of a developmental nature;
  
• establish educational linkages for agricultural technology transfer; and
  
• develop relationships for future business.

Industry participants had individual itineraries enabling them to meet with representatives of a total of over 100 businesses in the two islands. Minister Brown met with his counterparts on both islands, trade and development associations, and High Commission personnel. He also toured industry sites. Mission members were very pleased the Minster was able to head the mission as his participation greatly elevated the status of the project and opened doors that may have been otherwise closed.

Receptions were held on both islands at the homes of the High Commission's Commercial Counsellors. Each reception was attended by approximately 75 local business persons, providing an excellent opportunity for additional networking.

Mission participants were very positive in their review of the mission as almost all achieved some of their objectives and were better able to understand industry structure and the subtleties of doing business in the Caribbean. Participants unanimously stated that trade missions need to be an ongoing focus of the departments market development efforts as they aid in pursuing export opportunities and help ensure the stability of the Nova Scotia agri-food industry in the world economy.

Mission results include:

1. Estimated sales of $1 million during the next 12 months, with an additional $950,000 in potential sales being pursued;
   
2. Educational opportunities for the NSAC;
   
3. Enabled participants to better understand the structure of the market and identify where opportunities may exist.