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Province and Ireland to partner on technology pilot project The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will partner with the Irish government�s industrial development agency, Enterprise Ireland, to stimulate technology partnerships between the province and Ireland. "This project is an innovative way to bring Newfoundland and Labrador companies to the rest of the world and will benefit our province tremendously," said Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams. "This partnership builds on the Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador and re-affirms our commitment to strengthening existing business relationships and exploring new opportunities. I was very enthusiastic when I was presented with a proposal on this venture while visiting Ireland earlier this summer, and I am delighted that we are seeing the fruits of our labour. I look forward to working with Enterprise Ireland and achieving mutually beneficial results from this project." The 12-month experimental project begins immediately and will examine the feasibility of pursuing technology partnerships between the two regions. The provincial government and Enterprise Ireland will share technology profiles from companies in their respective regions. The project will also include training a provincial representative in Enterprise Ireland�s international technology transfer methodology. "Ireland will share its enquiries from Irish companies seeking partners in Europe and other parts of the world with Newfoundland and Labrador," said Innovation, Trade and Rural Development Minister Kathy Dunderdale. "The province will then utilize its local networks such as Ireland Business Partnerships, industry associations and chambers of commerce to disseminate profiles with the objective of seeking Newfoundland and Labrador partners." "Technology partnerships enable a company to acquire technology from external sources rather than developing it from scratch through research and development. Partnerships through licensing, joint ventures and technical collaborations help to internationalize a company and can be an effective source of export revenue," said Jim Cuddy, Technology Transfer Manager for Enterprise Ireland. "Enterprise Ireland is pleased to be cooperating with Newfoundland and Labrador�s Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development in this pilot program." Government will work closely with the St. John�s Board of Trade who have been very active in fostering the city�s business relationship with Ireland. In return, the province will establish a system to generate similar profiles of provincial companies seeking technology transfer partners, which will then be shared with Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland has been successful with this type of arrangement, having established similar partnerships in many countries internationally." Enterprise Ireland and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will accept enquiries from a variety of sectors including industrial technology, IT, energy, biological sciences, environment, agriculture and marine, measurements and standards and others. The technology can be at varying levels of development from the initial development phase to established technologies. Premier Williams and Minister Dunderdale met with Enterprise Ireland in July during a visit to Ireland arranged by the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership. On that visit, the premier and the Taoiseach signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) renewing both regions� commitment to strengthening ties and developing linkages between the province and Ireland. Media contacts:
2004 09 09 1:40 p.m. |
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