Icelandic Delegation Visits Nova Scotia

FISHERIES/AQUACULTURE–Icelandic Delegation Visits Nova Scotia

A delegation of government and business leaders from Iceland visited Nova Scotia, Oct. 27-28, to promote opportunities for innovation in Nova Scotia's seafood, aquaculture and biotechnology sectors.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell welcomed the group to Halifax as a followup to a memorandum of understanding signed in January between provincial Crown corporation Perennia and Matis Limited of Iceland.

"Strengthening our relationship with Iceland can connect Nova Scotia companies with new technologies, knowledge and potential new markets," said Mr. Colwell. "We can benefit from Iceland's experience in growing its economy through innovation and I am looking forward to more collaboration as we exchange knowledge and ideas."

The delegation met with representatives of the province's seafood industry, agricultural producers and the wine industry.

"Iceland has been pursuing innovation through technology and research to grow the value of our biotechnology and agriculture and seafood industries," said Sigurour Ingi Johannsson, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture for Iceland. "We see opportunities to collaborate with Nova Scotia to promote development in these sectors."

The main purpose of the agreement between Perennia and Matis Limited is to strengthen research and development capacity in the areas of fisheries, agriculture, aquaculture, biotechnology and agri-food. It commits both parties to work together on local, national and international projects, share personnel and cross promote services.

Government officials in the Icelandic delegation also included:

• Sturla Sigurjonsson, Icelandic Ambassador to Canada
• Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matis Limited

A number of Icelandic business leaders were also part of the visiting delegation:

• Kristin Thorarinsdottir of food processor Marel
• Bjorn Margeirsson of Saeplast, a supplier of containers to the shipping industry
• Jon Osmann of Martak Iceland, a leading supplier of processing equipment for shrimp exporters
• Helga Sigurros Valgeirsdottir, Arion Bank

Perennia is a provincially owned agri-food and bio-resource development company with a mission to help farmers, fisher harvesters and food processors be prosperous and profitable. More information about its programs and services is available at www.perennia.ca .

Matis Limited is a government-owned, independent research company in Iceland supporting the food and biotech industries. Information about its work is available at http://www2.matis.is/ .