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NLIS 4 January 9, 2003 (Industry, Trade and Rural Development) Funding announced for secondary wood products manufacturing Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), along with Rick Woodford, provincial Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, on behalf of Kelvin Parsons, Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development, today announced a $750,000 initiative in support of the province�s secondary wood products industry. Funding for this initiative will be provided to the Newfoundland and Labrador Forestry Training Association (NLFTA) over a two-year period through the Canada - Newfoundland Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement. The NLFTA, in a continued effort to further expand secondary wood products manufacturing in the province, will build on their strategy to help coordinate and further diversify the value-added wood products sector. Minister Byrne said value added industries have grown by more than 500 per cent over the past five years in Atlantic Canada. This new initiative will help grow secondary wood products manufacturing in Newfoundland and Labrador, which has great potential for increased economic opportunities. "I am very pleased that we are able to provide funding to boost the secondary wood products manufacturing industry in this province, and assist small companies in rural communities who are disadvantaged by poor market access and the associated high cost of transportation for both raw materials and finished products," said Minister Byrne. Minister Woodford said small independent companies often struggle to develop and market new products; however, as a group the opportunities are vastly improved. "This initiative will promote cooperation between companies, provide collective marketing services to broaden markets both within and outside the province, as well as focus on niche market opportunities." The funding will also provide the means required to coordinate the flow of hardwood logs from logging operations to sawmills and lumber to end users. Local wood products will be professionally promoted to both buyers and consumers through trade shows and promotional materials. Dr. Muhammad Nazir, chairperson of the NLFTA, said he is excited about the opportunities this initiative will present to the wood products industry in this province. "We are pleased with the accomplishments our organization has made in recent years, and this funding will vastly improve our ability to bring this important industry forward," Dr. Nazir said. The Canada-Newfoundland Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement is a six-year, $94.99 million initiative designed to complement existing federal and provincial programs and agreements. It is administered federally by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and provincially by the Department of Industry Trade and Rural Development. Media contact:
2003 01 09 4:40 p.m. |
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