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Business N.B. minister, local firms discuss potential partnerships

FREDERICTON - Business New Brunswick Minister Greg Byrne is hoping a trade mission to Chicago will help local businesses weather the current economic storm.

Byrne is in Chicago with 60 Atlantic Canadian businesses, including 15 New Brunswick companies, meeting with executives and selling the merits of doing business in the province.

The local businesses are meeting with Chicago-based companies to discuss potential opportunities.

"We have worked with them to set up a series of meetings for them with companies in their particular fields. They have been going flat-out with meetings," said Byrne, adding each business will attend as many as 10 meetings.

Local companies include CE3 Custom Electronics Integrators of Dieppe, Lexi-tech International Inc of Moncton, Menu Tools Inc of Riverview, Savonnerie Olivier Soapery of Sainte-Anne-de-Kent, Steeves Maples of Elgin, and South Shore Trading Co. Ltd of Port Elgin.

"Despite the financial turmoil there is recognition that this is an opportunity for mutual benefit," said Byrne. "We continue to be very aggressive."

There are a number of companies with offices in Chicago that have existing business ties with the province, including UPS and Potash Corp.

Byrne said a focus on green technology could lead to greater opportunities with New Brunswick companies.

Yesterday, the minister met with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, who was first elected in 1989.

"We wanted to listen to the mayor and get his insight obviously on the financial turmoil and what he sees is the future for the greater Chicago area."

As well, U.S president-elect Barack Obama, who has roots in Chicago, has chosen many people with connections to Chicago and the mayor as his key advisors, said Byrne.

"That translates into great opportunities for our companies. There is a great interest here in terms of companies showing an interest in doing business in Atlantic Canada."