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Georgia and Canadian Province of Manitoba Pledge Cooperation in Economic Development

Thursday, February 5, 2004  Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774

 

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue and the Premier of the Province of Manitoba (Canada) Gary Doer today signed a Letter of Intent on cooperation in innovation, economic development and entrepreneurship between Georgia and Manitoba. 

"Georgia and the Province of Manitoba share a strong interest in biotechnology and life sciences," said Governor Sonny Perdue.  "We are committed to building and strengthening our relationship to benefit both economies through research, innovation, and technology development."

Text of the Letter of Intent

LETTER OF INTENT

ON COOPERATION IN
INNOVATION, ECONOMIC AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT

BETWEEN THE STATE OF GEORGIA
AND THE
PROVINCE OF MANITOBA

WHEREAS the State of Georgia and the Province of Manitoba recognize the overall value of close cooperative economic and political relations between Canada and the United States and understand the important role that state and provincial governments play in maintaining and enhancing binational relations; and
WHEREAS the Governments of Georgia and Manitoba share an interest in expanding their economic partnership and in promoting a climate of research, innovation and technology development within their respective economies; and
WHEREAS the State of Georgia and the Province of Manitoba share a strong expertise in the biotechnology and life sciences sectors and have important and growing industries and state-of-the-art research facilities in this sector; and
WHEREAS there are existing relationships between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta and the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health in Winnipeg as well as between other research facilities and private sector companies; and
WHEREAS the State of Georgia and the Province of Manitoba acknowledge the advantages to be gained by strengthening and broadening these mutually beneficial relations and further enhancing commercial ventures between their two jurisdictions.
 

THEREFORE, the State of Georgia and the Province of Manitoba intend to work toward identifying target sectors for joint initiatives, including but not limited to the life sciences, biotechnology and nutraceutical sectors.  Examples of specific activities that could be explored include opportunities for joint participation in life sciences-focused symposia and workshops, joint economic development missions to targeted markets, and formalizing existing research and development relationships between educational institutions in the two jurisdictions.

This Letter of Intent represents willingness by the State of Georgia and the Province of Manitoba to work cooperatively on innovation, economic and entrepreneurship development endeavors. 

The Governments of Georgia and Manitoba agree to designate senior staff to the pursuit of these joint initiatives and interests as per the objectives of this Letter of Intent.

Dated at Atlanta, Georgia this 5th day of February 2004.

Signed by:

(Signed: Sonny Perdue)
The Honorable Sonny Perdue
Governor
State of Georgia

(Signed: Gary Doer)
The Honourable Gary Doer
Premier
Province of Manitoba