HIGHLIGHTS OF RECENT PROGRESS & ACTIVITIES
Business Development
KEDCO was pleased to host the official signing ceremony for Performance Plants Inc. (PPI), a leading global agricultural biotechnology provider with R&D facilities in Kingston, who has entered into a commercial licensing agreement in corn and a four-year R&D collaborative licensing agreement in rice and soybean with a leading Chinese agricultural company Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co., Ltd (DBN).
These agreements implement PPI’s strategic aim to form global technology and product development alliances for commercialization of the company’s leading technologies. The event, which took place on July 13 in Council Chambers at City Hall, is a major milestone for PPI’s global initiatives.
Jeff Garrah, CEO was in Washington, D.C. on July 10 – 12 for the 2011 Fancy Food Tradeshow hosted by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade. The Fancy Food Shows are North America’s premier showcase for specialty-gourmet, ethnic, natural and organic foods, snacks and beverages. Some of the best known global brands were launched at The Fancy Food Shows, including Ben & Jerry’s, Vitamin Water, Mrs. Fields, Perrier, Carr’s Water Biscuits, Dove Bars and Terra Chips.
KEDCO, in partnership with the Ontario East Economic Development Corporation has identified the food sector as a strong, emerging market for the region which offers a very competitive business environment and supply chain. While in Washington, Garrah met with senior executives from the food industry and various site selectors to raise awareness of Kingston as a Canadian base for operations and facilities.
Tourism Kingston
Tourism Kingston is pleased to announce a new Green Tourism Project looking at ecotourism opportunities in the area. Sam Gregory, Project Coordinator – Green Tourism has joined Tourism Kingston for the summer months to assist with new initiatives. Welcome Sam!
Upcoming Green Tourism events include an ecotourism workshop which will be held on Monday, August 15. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to gregory@kingstoncanada.com. New eco-friendly tour packages are now available through the Meridian Reservation System such as Off the Grid and the Taste of Kingston packages which feature green experiences such as the Wolfe Island Towers and Turbine Tour and local food tastings. Visitor packages can be booked online at http://tourism.kingstoncanada.com.
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Release source: Kingston Economic Development Corporation
