MONCTON, N.B. (Dec. 8, 2004) — The Maritime provinces and the State of Maine need to work more closely together and become a stronger economic force, said the commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

Speaking to the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Greater Moncton this week, Jack Cashman extolled the idea of closer economic ties between his state and the Maritimes, the reduction of red tape and trade barriers, and improved transportation between the two regions, the Moncton Times & Transcript reports.

The vision is modeled around the alliances between western states and provinces, but with less structure and bureaucracy.

Cashman said that with the two jurisdictions so close geographically, culturally, and linguistically, the plan is a logical step. “We create a 10-million-consumer marketplace in our own backyards; and we are closer than anywhere in North America to the massive European market, ” the Times & Transcript quoted Cashman as saying.

Cashman said the first hurdle before implementing the plan is improved transportation. He stressed the need for more efficient border crossings, fast-tracking freight, uniform weight and dimensions regulations for trucks across all the regions, and addressing the lack of an east-west highway in Maine.

— from the Moncton Times and Transcript