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Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
May 12, 2010

Alliance Formed to Target Business Opportunities

The Eastern Suppliers Development Alliance, a partnership of economic development organizations, is undertaking an analysis of business opportunities associated with the Hebron oil project.

Enabled by an investment of more than $61,000 from the Provincial Government, the analysis will identify opportunities for a wide-range of sectors including fabrication, manufacturing, retail, and service. The alliance will also be initiating an awareness campaign focused on highlighting available skills and expertise in the eastern region to procurers of products and services.

"Working collectively to identify opportunities on large-scale industrial projects bodes well for the success of local businesses," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "There are considerable opportunities for local businesses on industrial projects such as the Hebron oil development. As a government, we strongly support initiatives that explore possible opportunities and work to maximize their potential for the benefit of local businesses."

Established in 2009, the alliance consists of the Discovery Regional Development Board, Schooner Regional Development Corporation, Avalon Gateway Regional Economic Development Board, and chambers of commerce representing the Clarenville and Arnold's Cove areas, as well as the Burin Peninsula. The region represented by the alliance includes infrastructure that lends itself to the oil and gas, manufacturing and fabrication, and supply and service sectors, including the Marystown and Clarenville shipyards and Bull Arm Fabrication facility.

The alliance's awareness campaign will focus on highlighting the strengths of doing business with companies and organizations in the eastern region. It will use a variety of tactics including trade show participation and development of marketing materials such as a website, two-page regional profile, banners, and a logo.

"Through this initiative, the Eastern Suppliers Development Alliance will assist local businesses in assessing their capabilities and identifying strategies to better position their entry into the supply and service chain of the oil and gas industry," said Ellen Picco, Executive Director, Schooner Regional Development Corporation and representative of the alliance. "The marketing campaign will provide the alliance with tools to promote the capabilities of the eastern region to the major players in the industry while drawing the attention of the local business community to the opportunities relevant to the industry."

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Media contacts:

Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca
Ellen Picco
Executive Director
Schooner Regional Development Corporation
709-279-4641
epicco@nf.aibn.com 

2010 05 12                                                   2:50 p.m.


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