Iceland opens trade office in province

During a visit to Newfoundland and Labrador, which was organized locally by the departments of Industry, Trade and Technology, Development and Rural Renewal and Fisheries and Aquaculture, Iceland�s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Valgerdur Sverrisd�ttir, announced the establishment of a trade office in this province to expand on business opportunities between Iceland and Canada.

Minister Sverrisd�ttir made the announcement today during a morning business seminar. The minister is visiting the province, along with a delegation of approximately 25 companies from Iceland representing the secondary fish processing, financial services, environment and tourism planning and transportation industries. Close to 40 companies from Newfoundland and Labrador will be participating in the visit.

"I have noticed a keen interest in Iceland for the Atlantic Provinces of Canada and in particular for Newfoundland and Labrador. The Icelanders feel that they share a common heritage with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and that there is a reason for increased awareness about the mutual benefits that will result from increased cultural and trade relations between the two regions," said Minister Sverrisd�ttir.

In addition to approximately 190 one-on-one meetings between Icelandic and local businesses, the activities include presentations from Icelandic representatives on: the Economy of Iceland - Key Indicators and Strengths; Foreign Trade in Iceland; and Investment in Iceland. There will also be a session on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a networking luncheon and a presentation by the Department of Industry, Trade and Technology on the advantages of doing business in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Over the past few years, Newfoundland and Labrador has participated in several trade events in Iceland, including a business mission in 1997 and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade�s Canada Days in Iceland in 1999. This is the first incoming mission of Icelandic businesses in recent years.

"I am very pleased to welcome the Icelandic delegation to our province. We have been steadily building on our relationship and the opening of a trade office in this province signals a strengthening in trade links between Iceland and Newfoundland and Labrador," said Industry, Trade and Technology Minister Sandra Kelly.

Businesses that are interested in pursuing trade opportunities with Iceland can contact Stef�n Antonsson at the new trade office, which will be operated by ICE trade Ltd.: (709) 747-5105; icetrade@hotmail.com; www.icetrade.is.

Media contact:

Jacqueline Simon, Director of Communications
Industry, Trade and Technology
(709) 729-0050

Hrund Sveinsdottir, Marketing Counsultant.
The Trade Council of Iceland
(354) 511- 4000
hrund@icetrade.is

2000 09 26 11:05 a.m.