NLIS 1
August 19, 2005
(Executive Council)
 

Premier Williams to host Conference of
New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG-ECP)

Premier Danny Williams looks forward to welcoming New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers to St. John�s for the 29th annual NEG-ECP conference on August 28-29.

�The NEG-ECP is an important conference, given the natural synergies and areas of common interests we share with New England and the eastern Canadian provinces,� said Premier Williams. �It provides an opportunity to strengthen ties, share ideas and take strategic action on issues that are of mutual importance to our respective jurisdictions. It is my pleasure to co-host this year�s conference with Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri and I look forward to sharing our province�s natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality with my colleagues from the New England states and Eastern Canadian provinces.�

Previous NEG-ECP conferences have discussed a wide range of issues including oil and gas development, energy supply and demand, the environment, border security and extensive trade relations. �This year, both energy and oceans will be high on the agenda, as both issues are very important to the New England states and Eastern Canadian provinces,� added the premier. �In Newfoundland and Labrador, the ocean has shaped our history and we have successfully built upon our knowledge and expertise in this area to develop some world-class technology. As well, our energy resources are critical to our future prospects and prosperity, and I look forward to sharing all that we have to offer with my colleagues.�

The NEG-ECP comprises the five eastern Canadian provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador; Nova Scotia; Prince Edward Island; New Brunswick; and Quebec, and the six New England states: Rhode Island; Maine, Vermont; New Hampshire; Massachusetts; and Connecticut. The focus of the NEG-ECP forum is strengthening ties within the region through cooperative action on a wide range of issues including trade, economic development, the environment and energy.

The conference will take place August 28-29 at the Fairmont Hotel Newfoundland in St. John�s. Sessions are open to registered media.

For the first time in the history of the NEG-ECP, a �reverse trade and technology mission� is being organized to run concurrently with the conference. The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development�s (INTRD) New England Trade and Investment Initiative has recruited New England companies and researchers, particularly in the ocean technology and energy sectors, to meet with companies here in the province. Customized business itineraries and networking events have been developed to focus on exploring partnership opportunities for both regions. The department is cost sharing the event with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and is partnering with ACOA, International Trade Canada, National Research Council-Industrial Research Assistance Program, the City of St. John's, and Oceans Advance, to organize and implement the trade and technology mission.

�The reverse trade mission will provide an opportunity for our local companies to develop economic relationships with northeastern U.S companies with similar interests,� said Premier Williams. �Government is providing a forum where these companies can share ideas and identify opportunities for growth. Trade missions to New England have created successful partnerships and tremendous opportunities for local companies in the past and I look forward to a similar outcome for this mission.�

The reverse trade and technology mission builds upon and complements work done through the New England Trade and Investment Initiative. This initiative has assisted more than one hundred Newfoundland and Labrador companies identify and take advantage of opportunities in the New England market. It helps facilitate export to the region on a long-term basis and also 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 contacts:

  • Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier (709) 729-3960, (709) 690-5500
  • Lynn Evans, Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, (709) 729-4570,
    (709) 690-6290

2005 08 19                                          9:30 a.m.


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