July 9, 1999
(Environment and Labour)

Eight member companies of the Newfoundland Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) recently returned from a successful trade mission to Havana, Cuba held in conjunction with the Second International Conference on Environment and Development, June 11-14, 1999.

The mission was led by Environment and Labour Minister, Oliver Langdon, and the President of Seacom Consulting Ltd of St. John's, Paul Clay. Drawing on Seacom's experiences and numerous business and government contacts in Cuba, NEIA commissioned Seacom to undertake the necessary planning and preparatory work as well as take a leadership role during the mission. Seacom also provided language and business affairs training prior to departure.

Minister Langdon met with numerous senior Cuban and other Latin American officials as well as Canadian embassy trade officials. Linda Cooper of the Department of Industry, Trade and Technology also accompanied the group and assisted the minister in his meetings.

Minister Langdon stated that the trade mission to Cuba was very productive and that significant steps have been taken to raise the potential for environmental firms to do business in Cuba and in other Latin American countries. "I am optimistic that in a short period of time, numerous Newfoundland and Labrador environmental companies will bring their expertise and technical services to Cuba and will be working to improve environmental conditions in that country," stated the minister.

Included in the group were Pardy's Waste Management, Connections Research, Jacques Whitford Environmental Limited, Servco Environment Inc., Nautical Data International Inc. and the Canadian Centre for Marine Communications.

In addition to private meetings, each company gave technical presentations at an international environmental conference and trade show in Havana.

Chris Palmer of Connections Research indicated that "during the 1990s, several key events, such as rapid development in the tourism sector, have affected prime growing areas with increased salinisation, soil compaction and other environmental problems." Connections Research expects to undertake a number of agricultural resource management projects in partnership with Cuban agencies.

Servco Environment Inc. reported immediate results and as did Pardy's Waste Management. Guy Moores of Pardy's, and current president of NEIA, commented: "It was a very successful mission. My hat goes off to Mr. Clay of Seacom, all the hard work paid off. I would also like to thank Minister Langdon, the doors that he opened at high level meetings will help all companies that follow to Cuba and to Latin America."

Peter Reid of Jacques Whitford Environment Ltd, acknowledged the potential for business in Cuba. However, he cautioned that conducting business in Cuba is different than conducting business in Canada with many factors requiring careful consideration. "Although the environmental standards in Cuba are different from Canadian standards, our company is confident that our experience working with many industries in many countries would be of benefit to Cuban entrepreneurs."

Seacom, which has been successfully conducting business in Cuba and Latin America for several years, reported the signing of an international strategic alliance, two letters of intention, and the receipt of five requests for proposals. In addition, while in Havana, Seacom was also interviewed by Prensa Latina and the interview was broadcast across Cuba, Dominican Republic and Brazil.

Overall, NEIA considers the mission a tremendous success. While individual companies paid their own way, funds for planning, logistics and preparatory work were provided through the Canada Newfoundland Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement.

Media contact: Sean Kelly, Communications, (709) 729-2575.

1999 07 09         12:50 p.m.