24th Annual Conference of the New England Governors and the Eastern Canadian Premiers

WHEREAS, the Governors and Premiers recognize that the global trend towards freer movement of goods, capital, and people across national borders is creating unprecedented opportunities and challenges in fostering prosperity; and

WHEREAS, the involved States and Provinces are already pursuing a range of bilateral activities associated with trade and transportation; and

WHEREAS, the Governors and Premiers have already established Conference committees on energy and the environment to coordinate trans-boundary activities in these areas to mutual benefit; and

WHEREAS, the Governors and Premiers have expressed mutual interest in the creation of a Conference committee of officials to provide advice on the opportunities and challenges associated with trade and globalization; and

WHEREAS, Maine and Quebec have been organizing for four years an annual event entitled "Co-Entreprise", with the purpose of establishing alliances between business firms of both jurisdictions; and Maine and New Brunswick and Massachusetts and Nova Scotia hold similar annual events;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers establish a task force of officials to provide recommendations on the mandate and terms of reference for a Conference committee on trade and globalization; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the said task force be mandated on a priority basis with providing recommendations on the concept of broadening the Co-Entreprise initiative to include other states and provinces; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the said task force will be co-chaired by the State of Maine and the Province of New Brunswick with two representatives each from the involved States and Provinces and appointed at the discretion of the Governors and Premiers.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the said task force will report its findings at the next meeting of Governors and Premiers.

Adopted at the 24th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, October 3-5, 1999.

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