YELLOWKNIFE (January 22, 2013) – The NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy Advisory Panel met last week with community chiefs and economic development officers attending the Denendeh Investments Incorporated (DII) 2013 Opportunities Forum in Yellowknife.
The DII-hosted conference was sponsored in part by the Northern Aboriginal Business Association (NABA), which is working with the NWT Chamber of Commerce, the NWT Association of Communities, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and the Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) to develop a new economic strategy for the NWT.
DII Executive Director (and NABA representative on the Economic Opportunities Strategy Governance Committee) Darrel Beaulieu says regional Aboriginal input will be critical. “We envision a strategy that responds to and addresses economic strengths at the local, regional and pan-territorial level,” he said. “Our family of Northern and Aboriginal companies is one such proven strength - ready and capable of participating directly in economic activities, as business owners, operators, investors and partners.”
Chair of the 17th Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure Robert Hawkins gave a luncheon address to delegates on behalf of ITI Minister David Ramsay. “Beyond mining, our economy also needs some meat and potatoes,” said Hawkins. “We must also grow our main stays – those industries that will be here for years to come such as small business, our manufacturing sector, tourism and our service industries. In the long term, our territory’s economic health hinges on its diversity.”
The NWT Economic Opportunities Advisory Panel is tasked with engaging NWT residents, the private sector, governments and other key stakeholders in a series of discussions on the economy. The process will ensure that all considerations are heard and reflected in the final development of an NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy that can serve as an effective guide for economic development in every region.
For more information, contact:
Drew Williams
Manager, Communications and Engagement
NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy
tel: (867) 873-7272
cel: (867) 445-3739