Government has agreed a formal partnership with a US public television station aimed at training Government's CITV staff and adding programming.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown was yesterday in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on a two-day mission to formalise the partnership and to increase the Island's profile as a tourism destination.

A team of professionals from Pittsburgh TV station WQED originally came to Bermuda to offer technical assistance and guidance, enabling the launch of CITV. Speaking via a teleconference from WQED studios yesterday, Dr. Brown said: "We've developed this linkage with WQED and CITV, the first public TV station in Bermuda.

"We're very excited because not only can we further our relationship between our two entities, but we also have a chance to promote Bermuda tourism."

Speaking on his attempts as Minister of Tourism to promote the Island to the Pittsburgh area, the Premier added: "We've had a wonderful time so far.

"Last night we were hosted by a very wonderful couple, Mr. and Mrs. Hillman and we dined with a good cross-section of the Pittsburgh community, representing the academic and business communities and political leadership.

"This morning I met with a group of civic leaders from a variety of organisations and later today I'll be meeting with people from the academic community and we'll be talking about potential links to Bermuda.

"So, it's a very busy schedule for this set-up here... tonight I'll be a guest on a WQED TV show to discuss Bermuda tourism."

However, he conceded: "Pittsburgh is not one of our gateway cities, but nonetheless after a brief stop in Philadelphia — travellers from Pittsburgh can still arrive in Bermuda around lunch time."

The Premier pointed out the main purpose of his trip was to further relations with WQED to benefit CITV but was also using his media exposure there to push the Bermuda tourism product.

"This is going to be a very exciting relationship with CITV, which will benefit from the experience and the know-how that exists here at WQED."

Dr. Brown also noted that the relationship with that station will allow for the unique training of CITV employees.WQED (seen on channel 13, or on digital channel 38) is a PBS television station based in Pittsburgh.

It was established in 1954 and is one of the oldest public broadcasting stations in the United States.