News and Events
Iceland Signs MOU with Newfoundland Labrador
The MOU was announced by the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and His Excellency Geir H. Haarde, Prime Minister of Iceland during a ceremony at The Rooms in St. John’s today. The ceremony was attended by business people, representatives of industry and cultural associations, educators and government officials.
“The Provincial Government has led a number of trade missions to Iceland in recent years and each one has proven more successful,” said Premier Williams. “Increasingly we are discovering ways in which our economies and cultures intersect. Signing this MOU with Iceland will facilitate co-operation across business, industry, cultural, educational and governmental sectors which will in turn foster productive linkages that result in mutual opportunities.”
The MOU is designed to further promote the friendly relations that exist between Iceland and Newfoundland and Labrador. In particular, it seeks to enhance co-operation between business and industries through business ventures, technology transfer and research and development; and to enhance co-operation in cultural industries, education and the arts.
"In Iceland we enthusiastically welcome this new Memorandum of Understanding with Newfoundland Labrador which will unquestionably enhance direct relations between two North Atlantic neighbours, our governments, institutions, businesses and people in general,” said Prime Minister Haarde. “It covers a very broad range of issues and prospects in both economic and cultural developments. It will serve as a catalyst for stakeholders in different fields of activities to embark on new avenues with respect to bilateral contacts between our countries.
The milestone free-trade agreement between Iceland and Canada which is now in its final stages before formal ratification and implementation, will bring about a completely new commercial opportunities for our business communities. Already existing trade links will be reinforced and new ones created. The long awaited air services agreement which is now in place and operational, will also boost two-way traffic and further facilitate a successful execution of the MOU between Iceland and Newfoundland Labrador."
In recent years the province has led a number of trade missions to Iceland the most recent being in November 2007 in which 31 companies and organizations participated. During the mission a three-day trade show was held that attracted more than 2,000 Icelanders. As a result of these missions a number of contracts have been signed by Newfoundland and Labrador businesses with Icelandic companies in the fields of ocean technology, clothing, construction, craft and giftware.
The areas of initial priority identified in the MOU are educational interchange and industrial development in the areas of environmental management and environmental industries, information and communications technology, life sciences, ocean technologies, collaboration in oceans and coastal management initiatives, marine safety and rescue, fisheries and aquaculture, energy, transportation, and cultural and artistic collaborations.