Cooperative Agreement Between
Maine and Aomori Research Centers to Pursue Joint R&D in Common
Technology Sectors
Portland, ME – The
Maine Applied Technology Development Centers and the Aomori Industrial Research Center in Aomori, Japan, are entering into a
cooperative agreement to encourage joint work on technology projects and
shared development of new applications and technologies. The official signing ceremony will be held on Wednesday,
September 10th at 9:30 a.m. in the Cabinet Room of the State
House in Augusta.
Participants at the
signing ceremony will include a delegation from the Aomori Prefecture,
as well as Richard J. Coyle, President of the Maine International Trade
Center; Phil Helgerson, Director of the Maine
Applied Technology Development Centers; and Don Nicoll, Chair of
the Maine-Aomori Sister-State Advisory Council.
The purpose of the
agreement is to promote the development of research and technology
cooperation and encourage the implementation of joint research projects
and scientific exchanges in the fields of biotechnology, environmental
technology, information technology, advanced materials, forestry and
agriculture, precision manufacturing, and aquaculture/marine sciences.
The agreement is an
outgrowth of the sister-State relationship between Aomori Prefecture and
the State of Maine, which will celebrate a 10-year anniversary in 2004.
“New technologies will
have an international market and often require international research
and development collaboration,” according to Phil
Helgerson, Director, Maine Applied Technology Development Centers.
“This agreement identifies our interest and agreement to
pursue opportunities for cooperation that we hope will ultimately lead
to partnerships and technology advances for new products.
“
“We believe that all technology firms should determine how
to incorporate international relationships into their business
strategies,” Helgerson added. “This
agreement is a step in that direction, offering new technology companies
a link to their colleagues in Japan.”
The Maine International
Trade Center and the Maine-Aomori Sister-State Advisory Council are
hosting the Aomori Working Delegation in Maine from September 7 –13. The visit includes discussions regarding future educational,
cultural, and government exchanges, as well as possibilities for trade
and commerce. The
delegation will tour Maine businesses and educational institutions and
meet with Governor John Baldacci during the visit.
For additional
information, visit the websites for the Maine Applied Technology
Development Centers at www.atdcmaine.org
and the Maine International Trade Center at www.mitc.com.
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