News Release Archive
PREMIER--MEMORANDUMS SIGNED IN CHINA
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A Nova Scotia consortium and the provincial government have
signed a memorandum of understanding which would see the
consortium design and oversee the construction of an
international school in Wuhan, China, Premier John Savage
announced today.
The consortium will also supply technology and equipment for the
school and manage the facility.
The school will offer the Nova Scotia curriculum in English to
the children of international business people operating in China.
There will also be a mix of Chinese and English programming for
Chinese students.
Twenty-five Nova Scotia teachers will be needed to staff the
school. Enrolment will be 1,000 students in grades one to 12.
The memorandum was signed during last week's trade mission to
China. The consortium, TR3LC-Nova, represents the private sector
partners currently developing high-tech schools in Sydney and in
Porter's Lake-Lake Echo, Halifax County.
The premier also announced other initiatives arising from the
China mission, including;
* The signing of a memorandum of understanding between the
Province of Nova Scotia and the Province of Shandong, China. The
agreement is intended to promote cooperation in the area of
fishing and aquatic products, mining, forestry and the transfer
of technology.
* A Nova Scotia company is finalizing a multi-million dollar
contract to supply homes and building materials to China. Company
representatives have remained in China to complete the deal.
* A second school project in China is currently being discussed.
If the project goes ahead, additional Nova Scotia-trained
teachers would be required. Design of the facility would be also
done in Nova Scotia.
The premier said the memorandum of understanding involving the
Wuhan school project clearly demonstrates that expertise
developed in Nova Scotia can be exported.
"The Nova Scotia consortium has been able to take knowledge
gained through public-private partnering of schools here in Nova
Scotia and apply it to markets overseas."
Premier Savage said the market for partnerships in other parts of
China is also very promising because the Chinese see
international schooling as a key to attracting foreign
investment.
Nova Scotia universities could also benefit from school projects
in China as more international students are attracted to the
province's post-secondary institutions, the premier said.
Premier Savage began last week's trade mission with a visit to
Hong Kong where he discussed investment possibilities with
several groups of businessmen.
In China, the premier met with senior officials of Min Metals,
the Chinese company which, along with the Nova Scotia government,
operates the Sydney Steel mill.
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Contact: David Harrigan
902-424-6600
Kirk MacCulloch
Fairwyne Developments Limited
902-423-8090
trp Mar. 21, 1996 - 9:10 a.m.
