European Trade and Investment
Premier Russell MacLellan was in Switzerland and Germany today, continuing to promote trade and investment agreements for the province and Nova Scotian companies.
He was in Switzerland this morning to sign a letter of commitment with a major European medical equipment manufacturer.
The company is a manufacturer of precision medical equipment and machinery which has declared its intention to establish a facility in the province. The company president has expressed a particular interest in locating in Atlantic Acres Industrial Park in Bedford.
The company plans to employ up to 100 highly-skilled workers in the initial stage of its operation. Its products are currently distributed in 109 countries.
Premier MacLellan said, "This is one of the most respected medical manufacturing companies in the world, and its location in the Bedford area would serve as a tremendous attraction for similar companies in the future."
Plans addressed in the letter of commitment signed between Premier MacLellan and the firm's chief executive officer foresee a facility that would encompass manufacturing, processing, servicing (repairs) and sales. From Nova Scotia the firm will service markets within the North America Free Trade Agreement as well as Central and South America.
Later in the afternoon the premier travelled to Krugzell, Germany to officially open the offices of Canadian Wood Homes of Halifax, a Nova Scotian prefabricated housing enterprise. The premier cut a ribbon to open a new model home project, marking a significant milestone in the company's efforts to establish a presence in this lucrative market.
Valued at $450,000 the project will also serve as the firms log model home and office for the next five years.
Donald Grant, president of Canadian Wood Homes, said that the company is already receiving orders as a result of the new office and announced a further two new orders immediately after the official opening ceremonies.
Two new contracts were also signed representing an additional $250,000 in sales and services to the Nova Scotia firm. And a final announcement was made by Canadian Wood Homes of the signing of a new dealer in the eastern provinces of Germany expected to bring a minimum of $1 million in sales to the company over the next five years.
"From high-tech biomedical firms to the provision of high-end, value-added on our traditional products, the new Nova Scotia economy is on the move in Europe," said the premier.
"The scope of today's announcements shows the breadth of opportunities available and our ability to capitalize on them."
The premier is in Germany and Switzerland this week to oversee the signing of six trade and investment deals for Nova Scotia.