Iqaluit (July 05/04) - Labrador and Nunavut are moving forward on several different economic development fronts.

A delegation of eight representatives from Nunavut attended the Voisey's Bay and Beyond Conference and Trade Exhibition, June 20-23.

Dushyenth Ganesan: says Nunavut and Labrador are working closely together. - Terry Dobbin/NNSL photo

It's the third time delegations have visited back and forth between Nunavut and Labrador, said Dushyenth Ganesan, senior advisor trade policy and export development with the Government of Nunavut's Department of Economic Development and Transportation.

Some of the opportunities being mutually pursued include: the development of marble quarries, the establishment of a circumpolar trade office, co-operation agreements on fisheries, municipal twinning, the establishment of marble quarries, additional air links between the two regions, additional trade in caribou, increased tourism links, as well as the possibility of co-ordinating the sealift out of Goose Bay.

A marble quarry in Main, Labrador, is being operated by the Labrador Inuit Corporation. The marble is being sold to a manufacturer in Italy.

A similar product is being found in Kimmirut and Cape Dorset.

Ganesan says there is a possibility that quarries may be established in Nunavut to supply the same manufacturer. An Italian buyer representing the manufacturer met with the hamlet representatives following the conference.

One year ago, a delegation of 18 Nunavut representatives visited the quarry.

"We want to learn how a marble quarry works and how the cutting works. There are specific grades and qualities and dimensions the Italian buyer is looking for. This is what the people are learning," said Ganesan.

Chamber partnership

The Labrador Chamber of Commerce and the Baffin Regional Chamber formed a partnership to establish a Northlink trade office in Iqaluit. Northlink, a project of the Labrador Chamber of Commerce, is an office facilitating trade in circumpolar countries.

Presently, Northlink is attempting to establish offices in Greenland, Yellowknife, Whitehorse and Northern Russia.

Air link

The two regions are also looking at establishing a direct air link.

Fisheries co-operation

On the fisheries front, a Northern co-operation fisheries forum has been developed between Nunavut and Labrador. Meetings between officials were held last year and early this year.

An agreement for the sharing of the shrimp quota between the two regions is being established.

Cruise ship co-operation

The two regions are also looking to co-operate within the cruise ship industry. Through an organization called Canal, the cruise ship industry is co-ordinated from Goose Bay.

"We're working with them to expand cruise ship traffic to Iqaluit, Clyde River and Pangnirtung," said Ganesan.

Freight from Goose Bay

The sealift is also an area the two are looking at. Time and costs could be saved if the Nunavut sealift is co-ordinated out of Goose Bay.

Trucking of goods from Montreal to Goose Bay can be completed within 38 hours and it's a 50-hour run from Goose Bay to Iqaluit.

Caribou processing

While Labrador has an excess of caribou herds and no processing facilities, Nunavut has processing facilities at Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay, but a shortage of caribou. Additionally, Labrador has manufacturing facilities, which add value to caribou pelts.

"The idea is to send meat to Nunavut processing plants and excess pelts to Labrador," said Ganesan.

Municipal twinning

A municipal twinning effort is underway between Happy Valley/Goose Bay Town Council and Iqaluit Town Council.

An agreement was signed in May in Iqaluit during the Nunavut Trade Show. The endeavour is expected to make strides in fostering cultural, youth and business exchanges.