NLIS 6
March 7, 2005
(Executive Council)


Premier Williams announces senior appointment to Ireland Business Partnerships

Premier Danny Williams today announced the appointment of Cathy Duke as the new executive director of the Ireland Business Partnerships (IBP) in the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. Ms. Duke will lead the province�s efforts in identifying, fostering and promoting trade and partnership opportunities with Ireland in business, education and culture.

"Ms. Duke will play a strategic role in developing economic, business and cultural opportunities with Ireland. Her considerable senior-level experience in both the private and public sectors will serve her well in her new role," Premier Williams said. "This appointment further enhances other steps we have taken to strengthen our partnership with Ireland."

In July 2004, Premier Williams re-signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Republic of Ireland. Subsequent to that, he announced increased support to the IBP to further strengthen the province�s relationship with Ireland, including an increase of $200,000 in government funding to the IBP. He also announced that government would provide administrative support and office space at Confederation Building for the IBP, to more closely mirror the arrangement between the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership (IBP�s counterpart in Ireland) and the Irish government.

Wally Kirwan, vice-chair of the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership, welcomed the news of Ms. Duke�s appointment. "I congratulate Premier Williams on renewing his commitment to the MOU re-signed between Newfoundland and Ireland in July 2004," he said. "The premier understands the importance of having a senior executive person and the resources in Newfoundland and Labrador to advance mutually beneficial economic and cultural opportunities with the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership in Dublin."

The MOU between Ireland and Newfoundland formalizes both governments� desire to develop close cooperation between business, industry and cultural sectors. The MOU is coordinated by Ireland Business Partnerships in Newfoundland and Labrador, and by the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership in Ireland. Past activities under the MOU include development of a seafood quality mark for the Newfoundland mussel and aquaculture sector; an MOU between the Canadian Centre for Marine Communications and the Irish Marine Institute to bring together complementary technology companies to improve their international competitiveness; the Canadian Centre for Marine Communications in St. John�s providing consulting services to the Geological Survey of Ireland; and an MOU between Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador�s Marine Institute to develop marine data products.

The mandate of the IBP is to assist provincial companies and organizations that are interested in developing economic and cultural opportunities with Ireland by identifying common interests and complementary skills; increasing cooperation and awareness among business and cultural agencies; and exchanging up-to-date information on the economy, legislation and regulations. The IBP also identifies joint venture and technology transfer opportunities and cooperative exchanges; promotes environmental industry initiatives; and develops linkages between the public and private sectors in both Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland.

Ms. Duke will commence her duties full time in April.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960 or (709) 690-5500, elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca

Biography - Cathy Duke
Ms. Duke brings to the position 10 years experience in the private sector, her most recent position being president of Sports Villas Resort, Inc., owner and operator of the Terra Nova Golf Resort and its related real estate and hotel operations. Ms. Duke�s experience in the tourism industry includes her tenure as executive director of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador. She brings to the position considerable experience in the business development field, having served as a business consultant with Coastal Associates and Consultants Limited, business development coordinator and later executive director of the Economic Recovery Commission, and account manager with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

Among her board appointments, Ms. Duke has served as a board member of the St. John�s International Airport Authority, member of the Tourism Marketing Council, board member of Enterprise Newfoundland and Labrador, director of the St. John�s Board of Trade, Newfoundland and Labrador chair for the 2004 Governor General�s Canadian Leadership Conference, chair of Golf Newfoundland and Labrador and chair of the Women�s Enterprise Bureau. She holds a B.S.W. and M.B.A. from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador.

2005 03 07            11:05 a.m.


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