News Release

MONCTON (CNB) - A co-operation agreement between New Brunswick and Mali was renewed today by Premier Shawn Graham and Republic of Mali President Amadou Toumani Touré.

"Mali is a special partner of New Brunswick because of its long-standing history of co-operation," Graham said. "It was an honour for me to meet the president of Mali today, and to renew our co-operation agreement."

Sectors of mutual interest included in the agreement are education and vocational/technical training; information technologies; local governance; and health and wellness. The agreement will be in effect for five years.

Several projects have already begun under the agreement.

CCNB-Bathurst has been working in partnership with Mali for several years to develop technical training for young Malians. The Dieppe campus has also formed a special partnership to improve access of Malian pupils to school textbooks.

The president and first lady of Mali are in Moncton where the president will receive an honorary doctorate from the Université de Moncton.