Dartmouth Company to Participate in Foreign Program

A Dartmouth company has been chosen to participate in the Export to Japan Study Program sponsored by the Japan External Trade Organization, known as JETRO.

Environmental Disposal Concepts Inc. is one of 40 companies from around the world chosen to take part in nine days of presentations, field trips, information exchanges and business meetings in Japan. The program will take place Feb. 22-March 2 and is designed to provide networking opportunities for companies whose representatives will also meet with Japanese partnering interests.

Dana Emmerson of Environmental Disposal Concepts Inc. said the trip represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for his company.

"It would be difficult for any company to line up the schedule of contacts that JETRO has arranged for us," said Mr. Emmerson. "We will meet with seven Japanese firms to discuss potential business relationships around several of our technologies. It is very exciting to be faced with the real possibility of doing business on this scale."

All of JETRO's 80 offices around the world submitted nominees for the event. Only 40 companies are selected to participate. Except for food, JETRO covers all costs including air fare and accommodations. The aim of the program is to support efforts to export to Japan.

JETRO learned of Environmental Disposal Concepts Inc. during a visit to Nova Scotia last November. The Environmental Industries and Technology Division of the Department of the Environment was host to the Japanese organization.

Environment Minister Michel Samson said part of division's mandate is to assist companies developing environmental technologies in making global business contacts.

"Developing ties with organizations like JETRO is precisely what Environment Industries and Technologies is supposed to do," said Mr. Samson. "We want to assist those companies with emerging ideas in getting a leg up by offering the networking potential to position themselves in world markets."

Environmental Disposal Concepts Inc. is a member of the Phase Group of companies operating in Dartmouth's Burnside Industrial Park. The company develops and manufactures its product in Nova Scotia.