Information technology, tourism and diversified manufacturing are the three sectors that offer the greatest growth potential for Charlottetown and area.
Details on how the provincial government intends to pursue opportunities in these sectors were announced today in a multi-media presentation, Capital City Area Economic Vision, introduced by Premier Catherine Callbeck to delegates and guests at the 1996 Prince Edward Island Manufacturers' Day at the Prince Edward Hotel.
"We are committed to continued growth and prosperity in all parts of this province," said Premier Callbeck. "We have been successful in working with the private sector to implement development strategies such as aerospace at Slemon Park and food processing in the Prince County and Eastern Kings regions.
"Fulfilling this economic vision for the Charlottetown area will require that same cooperation," said Premier Callbeck.
Charlottetown is an obvious location for concentrating information technology efforts because of the number of firms that already exist in the city, the excellent telecommunications capabilities established by Island Tel, and the enhanced ability to recruit staff in an urban area.
The priorities for development in the information technology industry are to recruit firms, promote the development of knowledge-based industries, and to increase the training and the skills of employees.
Charlottetown can strengthen its position as a tourist destination and expand the industry by aggressively promoting itself as the Birthplace of Canada, continuing waterfront development, increasing the quantity and quality of high-end accommodations, and by expanding its sales and promotion efforts in making Charlottetown a major convention centre and motorcoach destination in Atlantic Canada.
From the West Royalty Industrial Park, many successful Island manufacturing firms export their products both nationally and internationally. Future development in diversified manufacturing will involve building on those successes, prospecting firms appropriate to PEI, investing in firms that will create jobs and wealth, and aggressively promoting export trade opportunities.