AAADA and Warner Robins Area Chamber of Commerce AIC Sign a MoU

(July 28, 2009) -- On July 27, 2009 the Southeastern United States - Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS//CP) conference in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, was the site of a signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Atlantic Alliance of Aerospace and Defence Associations (AAADA) and the Warner Robins Area Chamber of Commerce Aerospace Industry Committee (AIC). The MOU promotes each association's membership and is intended to lead to economic development opportunities in each country for companies involved in the aerospace, defense, security and space-related sectors.

"This agreement represents the first step in facilitating Atlantic Canada's aerospace and defence companies to team with companies in Atlanta, Georgia and seek mutually beneficial opportunities on both sides of the border," said Howard Nash, President, Northstar Network Ltd and Co-Chair of the AAADA. "In anticipation of this signing there have been discussions between companies in both regions and we are very hopeful of an early success story."


"Canada is so important to the economy and security of the United States," said Gary Cox, Director of Operations, NavCom Defence Systems and Chair of the AIC. "We believe this agreement will strengthen the relationship between Canadian and Georgian companies while enhancing our capabilities and opportunities in the aerospace and defence industry."

The Warner Robins Air Logistics Center and the AIC have been sponsoring a Requirements Symposium in Warner Robins, Georgia for the last six years to assist companies learn more details on upcoming procurement opportunities at Robins Air Force base. In 2007 the Consulate General of Canada's office in Georgia decided to get involved to assist Canadian companies learn more about this event and facilitate their attendance. Their hard work proved worth it when twenty Canadian companies sent representatives to the symposium last year.

Following this event the AIC invited Mr. Nash to speak at one of their luncheons about Aerospace and Defence opportunities in Canada and how companies from Canada and the United States could team in bidding contracts. This also was a success and has led to today's signing of a MOU outlining an eight-step process to facilitate business between companies in the two jurisdictions.

"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased that aerospace and defence industry associations and business leaders from Atlantic Canada and the State of Georgia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining initiatives focused on growing the industry," said the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and co-host of the second annual SEUS//CP conference. "As a government, we recognize the valuable contribution of the local aerospace and defence cluster to the province's economy and are confident the MOU will result in the sector's continued progression. This MOU represents the possibilities of what can happen when businesses and organizations from various jurisdictions come together in forums such as the SEUS//CP conference in St. John's.

"This agreement is a shining success for the Southeastern U.S. - Canadian Provinces Alliance, which was founded with the express purpose of enabling industries and communities to forge lasting and effective business partnerships," said Sonny Perdue, Governor of Georgia. "We have made the aerospace sector, which holds tremendous growth potential for our state, one of Georgia's strategic industries and a focus of our economic development strategy."

Source : Northstar Network Ltd.