Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
June 9, 2009

Delegation to Advance Irish Partnerships

The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development (INTRD), is set to lead a multi-sector delegation on a trade mission to Ireland. The delegation will seek opportunities to advance partnerships in ocean technology and cultural, knowledge-based, and academic sectors.

"There is a spirit of co-operation that extends many years between Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador that is advancing key sectors for our respective jurisdictions," said Minister Skinner. "During these times of economic uncertainty, it is important to leverage the strength of existing partnerships and explore opportunities for collaboration ensuring mutual benefits. With Ireland, we have a partner who is committed to our partnership and to maximizing our common interests."

This week's trade mission to Ireland will focus on strengthening and enhancing trade partnerships through face-to-face meetings with businesses, academic institutions, potential buyers and other strategic partners in Ireland. In addition to various meetings, the delegation will also have the opportunity to network with members of the Irish business community at a reception hosted by the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership and Canadian Embassy.

"We feel that networking and meetings conducted during trade missions of this nature enable us to develop new contacts and follow up on existing ones," said Don Vokey, TriNav Group of Companies. "They help contribute to our competitiveness and allow us to obtain important market information."

As part of the delegation, the province's vibrant music industry is additionally represented with the goals of creating awareness and demand for products and developing distribution channels to reach international audiences, promoters and distributors.

"I have had my sights set on the Irish market for several years with the objective of developing touring activity," said Duane Andrews, a local of musician and performer. "Many of the scheduled meetings for me would have been nearly impossible for me to make independently. With this being my second time participating in an INTRD-led trade mission, I find their support invaluable."

The Provincial Government officially re-affirmed its trade ties with Ireland in 2004. These ties were strengthened in 2007 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the two jurisdictions to further collaborate in such areas as ocean observing, business, and academics.

"As a government, we are committed to opening doors to new opportunities for our business and academic communities," said Minister Skinner. "These MOUs create the platform for linkages and partnerships to take shape. They also enable various organizations and institutions to come together with the common goal of increasing their competitiveness and the exchange of knowledge and experience."

The mission is co-ordinated by the Ireland Business Partnerships (IBP), which assists Newfoundland and Labrador-based companies and organizations identify and capitalize on economic, cultural, and educational opportunities with Ireland. It promotes strategic business alliances through marketing agreements, joint ventures, and technology transfer opportunities and develops linkages between the public and private sectors in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland.

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Media contacts:

BACKGROUNDER
Trade Mission Participants

Atlantic North Development Corporation is a St. John's-based company with operations throughout the business community of Atlantic Canada encompassing projects in the seafood industry, manufacturing, exporting, financial services, government relations, aviation and marine (transportation) consulting. Tel: 709-722-7417

Camouflage Software, based in St. John's, is a software development firm specializing in privacy-enhancing software. The flagship product, Camouflage, is an enterprise-wide data masking software solution designed to protect personal and sensitive information while facilitating compliance with privacy legislation. Tel: 709-722-1200

Duane Andrews, is a musician specializing in a blend of Newfoundland folk, Django, jazz, and contemporary compositions. Tel: 709-579-1718

Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland offers education, training and research and development in areas of fisheries, marine and ocean technology. Tel: 709-727-4407

iDance of St. John's is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and strengthening the traditional form of Irish dance, music and culture in Canada and around the world. It provides opportunities to young people and emerging artists to become part of the exciting international world of Irish dance, music, and culture through teaching, competition and performance. Tel: 709-690-2101

Power Consulting owned and operated by Nadia Power, offers marketing communications and public affairs experience in project management, strategic planning, coalition and constituency building, media training, crisis management, image building, media relations, budgeting and international business development. Tel: 709-746-4841

TAP Productions is a Lewisporte-based business featuring the unique sounds of Terry Penney, a modern-day folk artist using an eclectic blend of country, contemporary folk, and rock and roll music with a dash of blue grass. Tel: 709-535-0787

TriNav Group of Companies consists of marine consulting firms which provide diverse and comprehensive services including marine brokerage, naval architecture, marine surveying, project management, fisheries consulting, information technology and publishing. Tel: 709-754-1060

2009 06 09                        9:55 a.m.