Nova Scotia Highlighted at Trinidad and Tobago Conference.

Today, Oct. 3, is Nova Scotia Day at the biggest environmental event of the year in the Carribean region.

The 2006 Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association Conference is underway in Trinidad and Tobago. Delegates are attending from all over North America, South America and the Carribean.

Nova Scotia Day is a highlight of the conference. It honours visiting delegates from Nova Scotia who are presenting technical papers and sharing information in support of international environmental development.

The delegation includes Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour, department officials, MLAs Keith Colwell and Clarrie MacKinnon, and representatives of 10 Nova Scotia firms that specialize in environmental solutions.

Nova Scotia environmental firms have proven expertise in solid waste management, waste water management, infrastructure renewal, sustainable development, and water resource and supply.

"Trinidad and Tobago is an energy-rich country with a strong manufacturing sector and fast-growing infrastructure. There are many emerging opportunities for Nova Scotia businesses to build partnerships and explore new projects," said Mr. Parent. "This conference provides exclusive opportunities for companies to meet with senior environmental decision makers from the Carribean region."

The theme of the conference is Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Renewal: Big Investment, Big Dividends, Big Future.

Federal ministers from Trinidad and Tobago have demonstrated respect for the visiting Nova Scotia delegates and have repeatedly referred to the close relationship their country has with the province.

It is expected that business contracts between the Carribean country and some Nova Scotia firms will be signed before the conference ends.

Mr. Parent has met with Penelope Beckles, Trinidad's national minister of environment, about co-operating on solutions to her country's environmental issues. He will be addressing the conference tonight at a special reception for the Nova Scotia delegation.

Nova Scotia is considered a world leader in environmental and recycling technology and implementation. More than 10,000 Nova Scotians are employed by environmental industries.