FOR RELEASE     #05-239
September 20, 2005

WHITEHORSE - Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski and Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie will be discussing the northern pipelines and other economic opportunities at the Opportunities North 2005 conference.

Murkowski and Fentie will also be addressing economic options including the proposed Alaska-Yukon railway and development options for northern ocean ports.

The three-day, multi-jurisdictional northern business conference and tradeshow, organized by the Yukon Chamber of Commerce, is taking place Sept. 20 - 22 in Whitehorse.

"The world demand for energy and natural resources is growing, and with the increased certainty created by land claims settlements and territorial control over resources, this decade will deliver unprecedented economic development in the Yukon and in many northern jurisdictions," Fentie said.

"Opportunities North 2005 will demonstrate the emergence of the North as a place of increasing strategic importance, its relevance as an economic engine and a place of opportunity for investors from around the world," Fentie said.

Some of the topics conference speakers will address include the 2007 Canada Winter Games, the Alaska Highway Pipeline Project and the proposed Alaska-Canada rail link.

"With projects such as pipelines, railways and mines on the horizon in the Yukon, the timing of this conference couldn't be better," Murkowski said. "I'm looking forward to exchanging information and ideas with business and government leaders from all over the North."

Northern businesses and governments have set up displays for the tradeshow portion of the conference, which features a "core shack tent" with representation from mining and exploration companies.

The conference has the financial support of both government and the private sector. The Yukon government has contributed significantly to the event, led by a $50,000 investment from the Department of Economic Development and with tradeshow booth sponsorships.

For more information about the conference, visit www.opportunitiesnorth.com.

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