April 1, 1999
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

The following statement was issued today by Sandra Kelly, Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I am pleased to update my honourable colleagues on Americana '99, a bi-annual environmental technology exhibition held in Montreal last week.

During the exhibition, our delegation was part of an Atlantic Canadian pavilion, which proved to be an effective and economical way to position ourselves. Participation at the event was organized by my Department of Industry, Trade and Technology, in cooperation with the Newfoundland Environmental Industry Association (NEIA).

Several months ago, the Cuban Department of Science, Technology and Environment approached Seacom Consulting of St. John's on the possibility of organizing technical seminars for Latin America's Second International Convention on Environment and Development.

Americana '99 in Montreal was an excellent venue for discussions between senior Cuban officials and the provincial delegation regarding the seminars, which will take place in Cuba this June. It is anticipated that between eight and 10 Newfoundland and Labrador companies will participate.

Americana '99 provided other opportunities for new business development.

Seacom Consulting Inc. of St. John's has a tentative agreement with a private company in Venezuela, as well as with a number of Peruvian companies, to provide emergency response planning and environmental consulting for the oil and gas industry.

Seacom also secured a tentative agreement with a Venezuelan national oil company for the supply of software. In addition, they will be supplying IT related products to the Peruvian government.

Genesis Organic held discussions with the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture on the potential of applying Genesis' composting technology to waste problems in their sugar cane industry.

Further follow-up on this is expected to take place during the June mission to Cuba.

Pardy's Waste Management had promising discussions with the Cuban delegation on oily water and septic waste treatment and disposal. They too will be doing follow-up work during the June mission.

While at Americana '99, NEIA made contact with potential clients from Europe, Ireland, South America, India, China and Japan. Meetings were held with potential investors, environmental training consultants and suppliers of environmental equipment. NEIA is currently identifying local companies interested in following up on these leads.

This proved to be a beneficial exhibition for the Newfoundland and Labrador delegation. I look forward to the mission to Cuba in June to follow up on the initiatives that unfolded at Americana '99.

Thank you.

1999 04 01 2:30 p.m.