Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers

WHEREAS the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers held in Newport in June 1997 accepted the invitation of the Government of Québec to hold a Business Forum in Montréal in 1997-1998;

      WHEREAS the Northeastern Business Forum was held in Montréal on April 23 and 24, 1998, bringing together 95 participants from the New England States, the Atlantic Provinces and Québec;

      WHEREAS the majority of the participants think it would be desirable to intensify the process of trade liberalization within the region;

      WHEREAS, the majority of participants in the Forum expressed the wish that there be more cooperation between governments in the region;

      WHEREAS the majority of participants in the Forum think that governments should facilitate greater collaboration between boards of trade and business associations within the region;

      WHEREAS the governments agree that business associations are key partners to promote economic integration within the region;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers adopt the report from the Northeastern Business Forum;

THAT the Conference bring to the attention of the federal authorities of Canada and the United States of America the concerns expressed during the Forum, particularly with regard to these irritants:

   
• customs procedures for goods
   
• temporary entry for business people
   
• harmonization of regulations, licensing and intellectual property rights

THAT the members of the Conference identify business associations able to promote the development of a regional regrouping;

THAT this new regional regrouping of business people will direct its actions primarily on the basis of the report of the Northeastern Business Forum;

THAT a forum of government officials and representatives from the business sector convene a meeting in Québec in 1999 with a view to developing the information highway and electronic commerce within the region.

Adopted at The 23rd Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, June 7-9, 1998.

                                               

_____________________________            Premier Camille Thériault            New Brunswick            Co-Chair

_____________________________            Governor Jeanne Shaheen            New Hampshire            Co-Chair