Innovation, Business and Rural Development
July 30, 2012

Irish Ambassador to Canada Visits Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador’s innovative business community, world-class research institutions, and rich culture were on display last week as Ray Bassett, Ireland’s Ambassador to Canada, visited the province.

Ambassador Bassett’s visit to Newfoundland and Labrador, which stemmed from an invitation from the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, ran from July 22 to 26.

“When I met with Ambassador Bassett earlier this year I invited him to Newfoundland and Labrador so that he could experience a first-hand view of our capabilities and possible linkages that can mutually benefit our jurisdictions,” said Minister Hutchings. “His visit and itinerary achieved just that. It directly connected the ambassador with those businesses and research institutions that are looking to further expand their export activity into Ireland and the European market. It was also an experience that provided the ambassador with a taste of the province’s culture and heritage that is so deeply tied to Ireland.”

Shortly after arriving in the province, Ambassador Bassett attended the Southern Shore Shamrock Festival where he was joined by Minister Hutchings and later in the day they visited Renews with Loyola Hearn, Canada’s Ambassador to Ireland.

The ambassador’s itinerary also included meetings with such businesses as Provincial Aerospace and ClearRisk; tours of the National Research Council-Institute for Ocean Technology and the Marine Institute; and, discussions with officials from a variety of Provincial Government departments and other community stakeholders including Dennis O’Keefe, Mayor of St. John’s.

“I had a very positive experience meeting with the members of the province’s business and cultural communities,” said Ambassador Bassett. “There was a huge amount of goodwill expressed throughout my visit. My goal is to harness that spirit to develop concrete projects that benefit both jurisdictions.”

With export activity leading to one in every four jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government has taken an active role in building Newfoundland and Labrador’s trade capacity. To facilitate greater market access the Provincial Government has Memorandums of Understanding in place with New England and Ireland and is targeting opportunities in Brazil, China, India, and other international markets.

"While the cultural linkages between Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador may dwarf our business linkages, there are exciting business opportunities between Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador in strategic industries like Ocean Technology,” said Keith Stoodley, Senior Vice President with Provincial Aerospace Ltd. (PAL) and long serving board member of the Ireland Business Partnerships. “Examples that come to mind include PAL's long standing relationship with Ireland in the area of maritime surveillance and the Marine Institutes leasing of the Ireland's Marine Institute’s research vessel."

A 2004 Memorandum of Understanding re-affirmed the Provincial Government’s relationship with Ireland. Additionally, in 2007, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Ireland to increase collaboration in the area of ocean technology.

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2012 07 30                            10:30 a.m.