Friday, June 08, 2012; Dear NATI Members and Technology Sector Partners: The year ahead promises to be one of significant opportunity and success for our Industry.  It is a privilege to serve as your Chair of NATI and I am looking forward to investing effective and enthusiastic time, energy and effort with the board and the staff on your behalf.

The knowledge-based economy we represent is a breeding ground for the innovation and invention that will drive positive economic and social development for Newfoundland & Labrador.  The skills of our young technologists, new entrepreneurs and industry veterans will ensure that there are healthy, thriving communities built to last long after the benefits of non renewable resources have been utilised.  This opportunity for economic diversification will need effective vision, leadership and stewardship to be fully realised and that is precisely what NATI is striving to achieve.

NATI has made great strides in developing concise policy objectives and strong sector representation through its advocacy and program delivery.  Changing economic conditions within Newfoundland & Labrador and globally mean that NATI must continue to be proactive in assessing its priorities.  Our plan for 2012-2013 reflects this need.

As we work toward the Solutions Summit in March and the Annual General Meeting in May, NATI will be advocating to all levels of Government to ensure the needs of our industry are front and centre.  Specifically, we will be working to develop attraction and retention of required labour, guide public technology infrastructure investments, and promote the effective use of Information and Communications Technology to enable equal participation and service delivery for citizens.  Programs to support business development and export needs of our members are in place and will continue to be focussed on their specific sectors and refined based on results.

I am grateful to the membership of NATI and our partners for all of their passion and expertise that goes into their work on a daily basis.  I take great pride in being one of many who contribute to an Industry that will play a key role in ensuring Newfoundland & Labrador is a healthy, thriving and truly unique place to live and work.

Kindest Regards,

GerardSignature 

Gerard Duggan

Chair, Newfoundland & Labrador Association of Technology Industries (NATI