Memorandum of Understanding Endorsed in Germany
Premier Russell MacLellan was in Offenburg, Germany today to endorse a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between W3 Internet Services of Liverpool, Nova Scotia and IHK Building Centrum of Offenburg.
The MOU formalized the working relationship which has developed between the two companies over the past several months.
The companies are proceeding with their plans to implement an executive training program for German businesses that will use distance-based education, via the Internet.
The program will also use on-site classes in both Germany and Nova Scotia, for instruction and training in North American business theory and practice. The executives will also be placed with Nova Scotian firms to gain a hands-on appreciation of how business is done in Canada.
The $450,000 education and training project will target the growing number of German executives who are planning some type of business expansion into the North American market that could involve trade, investment or even relocation.
In addition to the training component of the MOU, both companies will also pursue joint activities in Web publishing and electronic commerce.
Premier MacLellan hailed the MOU as illustrative of the direction of the new Nova Scotia economy his government is determined to build.
"This initiative combines educational innovation with emerging information technology (IT)," said Mr. MacLellan. "And it is in these two areas of education advancement and IT solutions that we see the future of our province."
Having set these two goals, the premier said he was encouraged to see that Nova Scotian companies can compete and win on the world stage in these areas.
W3 Internet Services, president Beat Raemy, thanked the government for its support of private sector businesses in Nova Scotia.
"The premier's attendance at the signing today sent a strong message to our European partners that our provincial government is fully supporting Nova Scotian businesses in their efforts to develop global markets."
He said, "This is a multi-win result for Nova Scotia, "W3 secures immediate and future business, the province gets a captive' audience of German executives for investment, trade and tourism promotion, and we also provide other businesses in the province with hands-on, direct contact with North American-focussed German companies."
After signing the endorsement, the premier travelled to Basel, Switzerland, where he spoke on investment opportunities in Nova Scotia to the executive of the Basel Chamber of Commerce.
The premier is in Germany and Switzerland this week to oversee the signing of six trade and investment deals for Nova Scotia.