Canada and the United States share the largest international trade relationship in world history.
It was in the spirit of sharing that Andy Melnyk, Canadian Consul and Trade Commissioner, Technology Partnering, visited the University of Nebraska Technology Park this summer during his three day visit to Nebraska. As trade commissioner, Melnyk works from his office in Minneapolis to promote Canadian companies in the United States and to help American companies to invest in Canada.
Melnyk said he visited the Technology Park to gain a better understanding of the development center’s operations and to assess its leaders’ interest in joining with the Canadians to build stronger research and economic links with similar Canadian technology clusters.
He said that he felt he accomplished his mission and expressed enthusiasm for the wave of technological advancement that seems to be rising on the horizon, comparing it to the space race.
“We could understand and appreciate the potential of manned space travel and putting satellites in space, but we didn’t fully know how to go about it. The same holds true today as researchers attempt to develop gene therapy treatments, or figure out how to build commercially viable bio refineries and cellulosic ethanol plants,” Melnyk said.
He said that by forming strong interstate partnerships, both countries could build stronger technology sectors and grow more competitive globally.
“To sustain our future economic well-being, I believe we have to focus on building a strong knowledge-based economy. Competition from other parts of the world is getting stronger and we can best address it by joining forces,” he said.
Melnyk added that in this fiercely competitive race, Nebraska has a leg up on some of the competition.
“I was in Nebraska for three days—not long enough in many respects, but long enough to be thoroughly impressed by the extent of research and technology development activity going on in the state,” he said.
Melnyk plans to return to Nebraska before the end of the year. He encourages people who want to look into possible research collaboration or technology partnerships with like-minded Canadian organizations to call him at (619) 492-2904 or e-mail him at andy.melnyk@international.gc.ca.