Premier Announces New Gateway Secretariat and Advisory Council

Premier Darrell Dexter has renewed the province's commitment to advancing the Atlantic Gateway with the creation of a new Gateway Secretariat and a Nova Scotia Gateway Advisory Council.

"Nova Scotia is geographically positioned to be a significant part of the sea and air freight gateway to and from North America because of our infrastructure links and proven capabilities," said Premier Dexter. "Nova Scotia now needs to add a more strategic focus to our current efforts to realize the potential of the gateway."

The mandate of the Gateway Secretariat includes:

• developing a vision, role and strategy for Nova Scotia's Gateway efforts
• establishing growth targets for gateway activity
• specifying required action from the province and Gateway stakeholders to seize gateway opportunities
• provide leadership to engage and facilitate co-ordination among major gateway stakeholders

The recruitment process for the chief executive officer of the Gateway Secretariat will begin immediately.

Nova Scotia's Gateway Advisory Council will advise government on gateway issues and priorities for growth, and assist in unifying gateway efforts.

"I look forward to working with business and industry leaders who share our vision about the benefits the gateway can bring to the province," said Premier Dexter.