March 23, 2000
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

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

I am pleased to have this opportunity to inform honourable members about several upcoming trade initiatives that my department will be participating in with companies from across Newfoundland and Labrador.

This week, officials from Industry, Trade and Technology, together with representatives from three environmental companies, are attending Globe 2000 in Vancouver. This event is the world�s premier international conference and trade fair on developing the environmental sector.

Over the next eight to 10 years, the worldwide demand for environmental technologies, products, and services is expected to grow by eight per cent annually. We are fortunate to have more than 130 companies operating in the environmental industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. These companies have a diverse range of environmental products and services that can meet this growing demand.

Already, our environmental sector contributes an estimated $80 to $100 million to the provincial economy. Globe 2000 is a chance for our local companies to explore new export opportunities for their products and services and for us to showcase our industry�s exciting work.

This initiative is being supported through the Canada/Atlantic Province�s COOPERATION Agreement on International Business Development.

From March 26-30, I will be leading a delegation of 12 provincial companies and organizations to Boston for BIO 2000, one of the leading international conferences and exhibitions for the biotechnology industry. This year�s event is expected to be the largest ever, with approximately 7,000 industry leaders and executives representing 2,000 companies from 40 countries.

Our province is one of Canada�s leaders in marine biotechnology. And Memorial University of Newfoundland houses Centres of Excellence which work in partnership with our local companies in their research.

This conference will help us to position Newfoundland and Labrador as a centre of marine biotechnology excellence to an international audience.

Funding through the Canada/Newfoundland Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement is being provided to the province�s newly formed biotechnology industry association, Bio-East, to represent the industry at BIO 2000.

The New England Food Service Promotion 2000, hosted by the Epicurean Club of Massachusetts, is also taking place in Boston next week. It is being sponsored by Agriculture Canada in conjunction with the Canadian Consul General in Boston.

Through support from my department�s Marketing and Product Development Program, several companies from Newfoundland and Labrador will be attending the one-day educational seminar. It is aimed at informing Canadian food suppliers about entering the New England market.

These international events will help to build on the New England Trade and Investment Strategy which I announced last fall. They will enable us to optimize export opportunities for local companies, provide possible leads for New England businesses to invest in Newfoundland and Labrador, and increase awareness about our province�s high quality products and services.

2000 03 23                                                 2:05 p.m.