From February 25 to March 1 representatives from Newfoundland and Labrador's business, literary and musical communities will be in Ireland to participate in a trade mission and March Hare activities. The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, will participate in the Ireland visit.

"Newfoundland and Labrador has a rich history and strong cultural and historic ties with Ireland, which have influenced many aspects of our lives, including our literary and musical works," said Premier Williams. "One need not look very far in this province to see or hear our deep connection to Ireland. The March Hare is a great representation of that connection that I look forward to celebrating with our Irish friends in Waterford next week."

In 2007, the March Hare celebrates its 20th anniversary. To mark the event, the March Hare committee has planned an exchange of writers between Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland, as well as musical events and a book and CD launch. Writers and musicians accompanying the Premier and Minister Taylor to Ireland include: Nick Avis, Michael Crummey, Joel Hynes, Randall Maggs, Lisa Moore, Kyran Pittman, Des Walsh, Ron Hynes, Pamela Morgan, and Daniel Payne.

The Premier said equally important on this trip will be an opportunity to further develop business connections and opportunities. "Building upon our natural cultural connections, we have also spent the past number of years building our business relationships," added the Premier. "Our government and local businesses have had great success through the Ireland Business Partnerships and I look forward to building upon those successes with this trade mission."

Six companies, representing various sectors such as information and communications technologies, aerospace, marine technology and tourism, will meet businesses in Ireland as part of efforts to increase export activity to Ireland. The companies participating in the mission are: Avalon Microelectronics (St. John's); Canmar (La Scie); Gander Flight Training Aerospace Technologies (Gander); Nordhaven Landing Inc. (Main Brook); Notus Electronics (St. John�s); and TriNav (St. John's).

Premier Williams will meet with Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern on the visit. The Premier and Minister Taylor will also meet with several Irish Cabinet ministers: Noel Dempsey, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, to discuss opportunities in the areas of ocean observation and petroleum research; Martin Cullen, Ireland's Minister for Transport, to advance the cause for an improved air link between Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland and the United Kingdom; and with amon Ố Cu�v, Minister of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, to discuss regional development issues. Premier Williams and Minister Taylor will also meet with Michael Ahern, Ireland's Minister responsible for the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership (INP), which is the sister organization to the Newfoundland and Labrador's Ireland Business Partnerships (IBP), and the INP board. They will also attend business-to-business networking events.

"We believe our companies have real opportunities for success in the Irish market. We already have companies doing business in Ireland and feel there are more trade opportunities to be found, particularly in the areas of ocean technology and information and communications technology," said Minister Taylor.

Avalon Microelectronics - based in St. John�s, the company develops components for very high speed optical communication systems, working with their manufacturing partner Xilinx, (which has a base in Ireland, the UK and Asia). Avalon�s engineers design and test these components which are then sold to telecom equipment manufacturers such as Nortel Networks.

Canmar - The Canmar Group has been building commercial, wood and fiberglass fishing vessels since 1988 from its facilities in Triton and LaScie. Mainly a boat building company (Universal Marine Ltd), other companies within the Canmar Group also build such products as prefabricated houses and trailers and other dwellings as well. 

GFT Aerospace Technologies - based in Gander, the company is primarily engaged in aerospace manufacturing, maintenance, repair, overhaul, training and charter services.  

Notus Electronics  - is a developer and manufacturer of advanced net monitoring solutions for the commercial fishing industry. Established in 1992, the St. John�s-based company has brought a number of sophisticated wireless monitoring systems to international markets.

TriNav - The TriNav Group of Companies consist of marine consulting firms which provide diverse and comprehensive services including Brokerage, Naval Architecture, Surveying, Project Management, Fisheries Consulting, Information Technology and Publishing.

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2007 02 23                                                        10:00 a.m.