Minister addresses Diplomatic Forum in Halifax

Mines and Energy Minister Lloyd Matthews addressed more than 100 diplomats from around the globe Saturday morning at a Diplomatic Forum in Halifax on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Minister Matthews used the presentation as an opportunity to tell the world about the good things happening in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"There�s a lot that we can tell the world about the changes taking place in our province," said Minister Matthews. "Newfoundland and Labrador has the greatest economic momentum of all Canadian provinces and this will mark the third time in five years that we will lead the country in GDP growth."

The forum was a two-day event designed to familiarize the heads of foreign diplomatic missions with some of the main public policy issues facing federal and provincial governments in Canada.

"The forum was an opportunity to develop new relationships with diplomatic heads of missions from around the world who may not otherwise travel here. There were representatives from everywhere, from Albania to Qatar to Zimbabwe," said Minister Matthews. "It was a truly global forum for government to showcase Newfoundland and Labrador."

As part of a ministerial panel on economic development opportunities in Atlantic Canada, Minister Matthews� presentation highlighted the positive economic progress being made in Newfoundland and Labrador and outlined the significant new opportunities that exist in the province. A question and answer period followed the presentations and the diplomats directed several questions to the Atlantic Canadian ministers. The topics included custodial fisheries management outside the 200 mile limit, the future of the oil and gas industry in Atlantic Canada, and the channels for foreign investment in Atlantic Canada.

"Government is creating the right environment for business investment," said Minister Matthews. "Advantages such as our Economic Diversification and Growth Enterprises (EDGE) program, our well educated work force, and a competitive cost environment provide a framework that makes Newfoundland and Labrador one of the most attractive locations to do business in North America and a great place to invest."

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has held annual meetings of foreign diplomats in Canada since 1998. The forum was held in St. John�s in 1999.

Media contact: Tracy Kenney, Industry, Trade and Rural Development, (709) 729-2257.

2002 10 21                                         3:45 p.m.