Minister Kelly to lead Team Canada mission on behalf of Premier

Premier Beaton Tulk announced today that Industry, Trade and Technology Minister Sandra C. Kelly will now be leading the Team Canada mission to China on his behalf. The mission is taking place from February 9-18, 2001, and is traveling to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

"There are a number of important files that will need to be clued up in the transition period before our new premier comes in, and as a result I will not be able to travel to China on the Team Canada mission. Premier-elect Roger Grimes has asked that I stay here during this important interim period and I have agreed," said Premier Tulk.

"I have asked Minister Kelly to attend on my behalf, as she has a wealth of experience in international trade. In the past, she has both led and participated in successful international missions, such as the Team Canada Atlantic mission to New England last spring and the mission to Ireland last fall," said Premier Tulk. "Minister Kelly has also been very involved in the preparation for the Team Canada mission to China, and I have every confidence that she will be an excellent representative for Newfoundland and Labrador and will be of great assistance to our local companies."

The ten companies from Newfoundland and Labrador and the sectors they represent are:

• Corner Brook based-businesses Academy Canada (educational technologies and cultural industries) and Provincial Studios (photographic services);
• Marystown-based Friede Goldman Newfoundland Ltd. (transportation/marine construction);
• Mount Pearl-based BAE Newplan (transportation);
• Paradise-based Continental Marble (manufacturing technology);
• St. John�s-based companies Canadian Iceberg Vodka (agriculture and agri-food), Newfound Resources (agriculture and agri-food), Professional Institute of Applied Technology (educational technologies and cultural industries) and Oceanic Consulting (energy/marine engineering), and;
• Seldom-based Fogo Island Co-operative Society Ltd. (agriculture and agri-food).

Media contact:

Paula Dyke
Director of Communications, Premier�s Office
709-729-3960

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

2001 02 07                                                                              2:30 p.m.