NB 1478
Nov. 14, 2007
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Premier Shawn Graham will be in Montreal on Friday, Nov. 16 for the historic chartering of the Southeastern United States - Canada Alliance (SEUS-Canada).
Seven Canadian provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba) and six southeastern states (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) will sign an alliance charter. The alliance will exist to promote trade, investment, tourism, educational and friendship ties.
"I am very pleased that New Brunswick has the privilege to join the Canadian provinces and the southeastern states in this exciting new business alliance," Graham said. "The formalization of this association between our jurisdictions will create new opportunities and open the door to new partnerships and business ties down the eastern seaboard in pursuit of a self-sufficient New Brunswick."
In 2006, the southeast U.S. region represented five per cent of New Brunswick's total exports to the U.S., and 20 per cent of its total imports from the U.S.
The premier will join Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia and Governor Phil Bredesen of Tennessee as well as Quebec Premier Jean Charest, Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz.
Canadian Ambassador Michael Wilson, U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins and senior economic development officials, chamber of commerce executives and business leaders will also participate in this meeting. Perdue will chair the SEUS-Canada Alliance inaugural conference in Georgia in 2008.
The concept for a SEUS-Canada Alliance is modeled after the 31-year SEUS-Japan association.
07/11/14
MEDIA CONTACT: Gisèle Regimbal, communications, Intergovernmental Affairs, 506-444-4594.
07/11/14