Environment Agreement Signed with Trinidad and Tobago

Nova Scotia is embarking on a new model of exporting its environmental expertise, products and services with an agreement signed today, June 2, with Trinidad and Tobago.

The agreement puts the province in a position to co-ordinate business opportunities for Nova Scotian companies, while helping Trinidad and Tobago develop its national waste resource management system.

"This agreement with Trinidad and Tobago demonstrates the commitment of government to create the winning conditions for Nova Scotia to be internationally competitive," said Premier Rodney MacDonald. "It provides a new opportunity for the province to export its environmental expertise and stands as a model for exporting other products and services internationally."

Premier MacDonald, Senator Hazel Manning, Minister of Local Government in Trinidad and Tobago, and Mark Parent, Minister of Environment joined in the signing ceremony at Province House.

"My government is very pleased to enter into this important partnership with Nova Scotia as we move toward meeting our environmental goals," said Mrs. Manning.

The Caribbean country has determined that it will require many environment-related services as it develops its waste-management framework. Environmental engineers, consultants, educators, law firms, equipment providers, recyclers and other Nova Scotian companies will be eligible to provide services.

"Nova Scotia is offering its private-sector environmental expertise and its government regulatory and management knowledge, as a unique package approach," said Mr. Parent. "We are putting forward our province's recognized skills in this area in collaboration with a foreign country to meet its environmental goals -- proof that environmental health leads to economic wealth."

Nova Scotia will work with Trinidad and Tobago on environmental projects by providing advice on legislation, policies, programs and procurement, and by assisting with landfill design and construction, establishing and setting up a recycling depot system, and implementing municipal composting programs.

The Department of Environment has helped set up courses in Trinidad and Tobago on enforcement and compliance of environmental regulations, and on conducting environmental assessments. Another course will be held next week.

Nova Scotia has developed close ties with Trinidad and Tobago. The province has helped set up an environmental liaison office in 2007, based out of the Ministry of Public Utilities and the Environment and the Solid Waste Company of Trinidad and Tobago.

For more information about Nova Scotia's trade and innovation visit, www.gov.ns.ca/nse/trade/about/ .