To strengthen the ties between SNC-Lavalin (SNC-Lavalin Inc. and its affiliates) and its various partners doing business with Aboriginals and in Northern Communities, it established in 1998 an Aboriginal and Northern Affairs office. Its primary role is to design solutions that result in agreements unique to the parties, including but not limited to, capacity development plans and a share buy-back clause. These partnerships are built on the premise that it is important to treat each other as full business partners and to pursue projects that can be of mutual benefit. SNC-Lavalin strives to tailor its engineering and planning services to the exact needs of Aboriginal and Northern Communities, developing solutions that result in cost effective and focused product delivery. Also, as part of the ongoing commitment to skills development and exchange between SNC-Lavalin and its clients; training, affiliations with academic centers and practical experience for Aboriginal peoples are key objectives explored at the outset of each project. The Aboriginal and Northern Affairs office works to promote and facilitate Aboriginal community involvement in the engineering management and construction services it provides, to produce a significant positive impact on local economies.