Premier to focus on ocean technology, oil and gas industries in New England

Premier Williams will lead a trade mission to New England on January 25. The trade mission will build upon discussions held during the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG-ECP) conference this past August in St. John�s. The mission is a follow up to a reverse trade and technology mission of New England businesses and institutions that was held in conjunction with the conference.

"The conference and reverse trade mission were tremendous successes," Premier Williams said. "Now, we have to keep the momentum going and continue to build on the mutually-beneficial relationship Newfoundland and Labrador and New England have fostered."

Premier Williams will address the Smaller Business Association of New England in Burlington, Massachusetts and the New England-Canada Business Council in Providence, Rhode Island to promote the province�s ocean technology and oil and gas industries.

With the establishment of the province�s Marine Technology Development Strategy, introduced in 2004, Newfoundland and Labrador has the ability to establish itself as the Canadian centre of excellence in marine and ocean technology by fostering a strong cluster of technologically-advanced companies, educational institutions and research facilities. Government has allocated $1.5 million to implement the strategy and seize this remarkable opportunity. Similarly, Newfoundland and Labrador�s oil and gas industry continues its growth at a significant pace, positioning the province as a significant player in the industry.

Companies and organizations that will be accompanying Premier Williams on the trade mission include: Lotek Wireless Inc., NOTUS Electronics Ltd., NavSim Technology Inc., AMEC Earth and Environmental, Earth Information Technologies Limited, International Communications and Navigation Ltd. (ICAN), CCMC, Oceans Advance Inc., Memorial University's Marine Institute, and the National Research Council-Institute for Ocean Technology.

"Proximity, historical ties and common interests make Newfoundland and Labrador and New England natural trading partners," said Innovation, Trade and Rural Development Minister Kathy Dunderdale. "Through our New England Trade and Investment Initiative, we are able to foster those relationships to the benefit of local companies and organizations and, ultimately, to the benefit of the province."

The New England trade mission is part of the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development�s New England Trade and Investment Initiative which has assisted more than 100 Newfoundland and Labrador companies identify and take advantage of opportunities in the New England market in recent years. The initiative helps Newfoundland and Labrador companies export goods and services and it encourages New England-based companies to joint-venture, contract, manufacture or establish a presence in Newfoundland and Labrador. Additional information on the New England Trade and Investment Initiative can be found at www.newenglandbusiness.ca.

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

2006 01 25                          10:45 a.m.