Discovering... Abruzzo & Apulia, Italy

Rome, Italy, February 05, 2009 --(PR.com)-- A trade mission undertaken by businesses from Apulia and Abruzzo operating in the agri-food sector is currently taking place in Montreal and Toronto within a training and support project promoted by the ICE (Italian Institute for Foreign Trade) Management Training Department. The mission, which is an outcome of a Program Agreement between ICE and the Apulia Region, and a Convention between the Italian Institute and the Abruzzo Region, is taking place from 2 to 6 February and has been organized in collaboration with the ICE liaison offices in the two Canadian towns; its main objectives are to complete the training programme and develop new business opportunities.

“Italian agri-food products and wines have always held a significant appeal to Canadians” - stated Luigi Ferrelli, responsible for the ICE Management Training Department. “The knowledge of the Canadian market, so wide and diversified, as well as the knowledge of quality standards and export procedures is essential for anyone hoping to establish successful, long-term business relations.”

“The changes in Canadians’ taste and preference - they are currently showing a rising interest in the Mediterranean diet - have certainly encouraged the market penetration of Italian goods in Canada, also beyond its traditional horizon which was represented by the Italian immigrant community in the Country. The increasing consumption of typical Italian products, such as wine, pasta, olive oil, may represent an important tool to develop export opportunities for our Country and a basic condition to encourage an increasing penetration of Italian agri-food products in Canada,” Antonio Lucarelli, director of ICE Montreal, explains.

The event’s programme is rich and well-featured, with B2B meetings opportunities and numerous occasions for the companies to gain visibility: technical and commercial seminars have been included, which are also very useful for an accurate evaluation of the region’s business capacity. Besides, a schedule of visits to shops and retailers of the wine sector has been planned (in particular there will be meetings with the responsible for the Sociétè des Alcools du Quèbec in Montreal and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario in Toronto); moreover, the operators will have the chance to promote their agri-food products – specifically olive oil and bread – at the presence of representatives of the main food chain stores. Finally, in two prestigious hotels in Montreal and Toronto, tasting workshops promoting Italian products will be organised for wine brokers and importers, in the presence of journalists and experts.

###