October 4, 1999
(Executive Council)

Premier to focus on trade and energy at Conference of 
New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers

Premier Brian Tobin is focussing on trade and energy issues at the 24th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers. The meetings begin today at the Samoset Inn in Rockport, Maine and conclude tomorrow.

The theme of this year's conference is "International Trade in the Coming Millennium". Featured speakers include: Canadian Ambassador to the US, Raymond Chr�tien; US Ambassador to Canada, Gordon Giffin; and US Secretary of Energy, Bill Richardson.

Trade and energy issues are expected to dominate discussion at the conference. Premier Tobin noted the historic importance of the New England market to Newfoundland and Labrador, and that it holds great potential for future growth.

"This conference represents an opportunity to profile the Newfoundland and Labrador economy in New England," said the Premier. "Building upon the success of the Team Atlantic trade mission to the region in April, the province is poised to expand economic linkages with our traditional trading partners. There are many opportunities for growth, based on a foundation of already strong sales of natural resources like fish and pulp and paper. I am focussing on opportunities in our emerging oil and gas, information technology and biotechnology sectors, as well."

Premier Tobin said he looks forward to the discussion with Secretary Richardson, who will be addressing the conference on the subject of energy reliability. "Energy reliability is a significant concern in the United States, given the major power outages experienced across the US this past summer," he said. "Hydroelectricity represents one of the most reliable sources of power generation. It is my hope and expectation that the Churchill River Power Project will play an important role in meeting the Northeastern region's energy needs in the future."

At the annual conferences, held since 1973, the Governors and Premiers discuss issues of common interest and concern, and enact policy resolutions that call on actions by the state and provincial governments, as well as by the two national governments. During the year, the conference convenes meetings of state and provincial officials, organizes roundtables and workshops, and prepares reports and studies of issues of regional import.

Media contact: Heidi Bonnell, Director of Communications, (709) 729-3564.

1999 10 04                        12:05 p.m.