The Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs, today applauded the efforts of the Labrador North Chamber Commerce (LNCC) and the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce (BRCC), in their efforts to seek ways to improve travel and trade through Labrador and Nunavut. Minister Hickey was responding to the recent release of the North East Trade Corridor Transportation Study commissioned by the LNCC and the BRCC.

"We are pleased to receive this report and I look forward to engaging our colleagues in Nunavut and federal officials in exploring its recommendations," said Minister Hickey. "The scope of this study is very broad and is an excellent exercise to determine ways to enhance our travel and trade relationships with Nunavut."

The North East Trade Corridors is a pre-feasibility transportation report conducted by SGE Acres Limited, Consulting Services. The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development provided a total of $27,700 from the Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund (RSDF) for the North East Trade Corridors Transportation Study.

"To help facilitate growth in the province, transportation systems must be linked to ensure the efficient and seamless movement of goods in and out-of the province," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "There are many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians residing in Nunavut creating a natural market for our products. To maximize benefits the Provincial Government will utilize the study in developing trade relationships with Nunavut."

Minister Hickey noted that Newfoundland and Labrador is strategically located to take advantage of business opportunities as laid out in the study but these recommendations will require further investigation by both levels of government and the private sector. Minister Hickey, although optimistic about the study, also stated a more detailed business case analysis will be required regarding the feasibility of any air/marine linkage from Labrador to Nunavut and Greenland and the success of any North East Trade Corridor must be industry-driven.

"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has a long and positive relationship with the Government of Nunavut and I look forward to continue to explore trade and travel opportunities with my Nunavut counterparts." said Minister Hickey.

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