Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 11/98) - When it comes to business with circumpolar countries, the NWT can be a leader in housing technology, expertise, and logistics, delegates at the first-ever circumpolar housing conference suggest.

NWT companies can take what they have learned about coping with permafrost, relentless winds, huge seasonal climate fluctuation, and a short building season and apply it to other markets with similar climates.

Northerners could capitalize on what they have learned about building and living in the North, said Oliver Drerup.

Drerup, export products and services manager with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, was among several presenter at the circumpolar housing forum held.

"Think about what it means to be Northern. That is exportable. That is the product," Drerup said.

Drerup was among about 170 people at the circumpolar forum, sponsored by the NWT Housing Corporation, the Northern Forum, CMHC and the Royal Bank of Canada.

The most well-known examples of Yellowknife companies garnering circumpolar business are firms Ferguson Simek Clark and Park Sanders Adam Viske. The former has projects in Russian, the latter in Korea.

The business opportunities could extend beyond housing and construction, it was also suggested.

Calling the circumpolar countries the newest trading block on the planet might be a bit premature. But it's not unrealistic.

Jurisdictions like the NWT, Alaska, Yukon, Russia, China, Korea and Japan as well as Scandinavian countries might soon find more common business ground, driven largely by common climate and geography.

"It makes sense for the circumpolar countries to do business with each other. It takes less that six hours to get from Anchorage to Vladivostok," Gerry Norbraten, with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., said.

He urged the circumpolar countries to promote trade, tourism and business travel whenever possible.

"Let's encourage travel of all types."

He also suggested NWT companies looking to partner with other circumpolar firms should chose partners wisely.

"Talk to trade commissioners. Chose (partners) with a history of success."

One of the latest steps in northern countries aligning for future business was Tuesday's letter of understanding between the a Chinese trade delegation and the NWT Development Corporation as well as Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.

The agreement outlines a possible joint venture between the NWT and China's Heilongjiang International Project and Technical Cooperation Group.

The Chinese delegation is looking at a joint-venture mink farm as well as a greenhouse vegetable production facility.

The delegates, among them group president Han Shoude, "provide a new perspective on our economy," RWED minister Stephen Kakfwi said in Tuesday's release.

"They also offer potential investment capital and access to new markets that are needed for the NWT to grow and diversify," he said.