News Release Archive
ENVIRONMENT--CARIBBEAN COMPANIES SEEK TO COLLABORATE ----------------------------------------------------------------- Environment Minister Wayne Adams and executives from Nova Scotia environmental companies have returned from a 10-day trade mission to four Caribbean countries. The delegation travelled to Barbados, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Kitts to rekindle the traditional close trading relationship between Nova Scotia and the region. "The mission went very, very well with strong indications of many opportunities for both Nova Scotia and Caribbean companies," said the minister. "We went there to promote and build long-term partnerships between the businesses and governments of Nova Scotia and the Caribbean. I think we have succeeded in reinvigorating a trade link that existed for over 200 years. This spirit of partnership for economic development, specifically relating to environmental technology was strongly endorsed by government and business leaders in each country we visited," Mr. Adams said. The minister signed two memorandums of understanding with the governments of St. Lucia and St. Kitts and Nevis, which outlines arrangements for the sharing of technology. Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Basdeo Panday will be in Halifax in October to sign a similar agreement with Premier Savage. Stinnes Enerco Ltd., a world leader in the development of in-vessel composting systems developed in Nova Scotia, is actively pursuing joint ventures for several composting plants in St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados. The Centre of Water Resource Studies at the Technical University of Nova Scotia will be exploring technology transfer projects in wastewater and coastal zone management. The Champlain Institute's expertise in geographic information systems is in the running for several geomatics projects on Trinidad and Tobago and St. Kitts and Barbados. Accompanying Mr. Adams on the trade mission were Gerald Tibbo, president of Stinnes Enerco Incorporated; Pablo Rodriguez, managing director of Secunda Global Marine; Ross Stinson, a lawyer specializing in international law and business; Simeon Roberts of the Champlain Institute, specializing in geographic information systems; and, Dr. Don Waller, director of the Centre for Water Resource Studies at the Technical University of Nova Scotia. All of the private sector participants paid their own expenses. Members of the delegation believe they have established a significant commercial beachhead as a result of the trade mission. Simeon Roberts said the Champlain Institute sees itself in the forefront of transforming mapping methods in the Caribbean from old manual traditions to computer designed geomatics. Mr. Tibbo said that for those Nova Scotia companies which accompanied the minister, the trade mission was an opportunity of significant economic potential. During the mission Secunda Marine of Dartmouth re-established a shipping branch of its company in Barbados. Mr. Adams said the Caribbean is anxious to do follow up business with Nova Scotia. " They welcome the re-opening of trade links, and we are committed to reciprocal missions to ensure profitable partnerships benefit the environments and economies of both regions." -30- Contact: Mauritz Erhard 902-424-5205 mfm Aug.22, 1996 11:10 a.m.