NEWS RELEASES
PETTIGREW RELEASES AFRICA TRADE STRATEGY
May 4, 2000 (12:00 p.m. EDT) No. 91
PETTIGREW RELEASES AFRICA TRADE STRATEGY
International Trade Minister Pierre S. Pettigrew today released the Africa Trade
Strategy, a plan that was designed to help Canadian businesses expand their trade,
increase their market access and strengthen their investment protection in Sub-Saharan
Africa.
"Sub-Saharan Africa is a very promising economic region," said Mr. Pettigrew. "The
Africa Trade Strategy will help Canadian exporters turn the principles of trade into
practical realities."
Unlike trade plans for established export markets, the Africa Trade Strategy is closely
linked to longer-term strategic goals of Canadian foreign policy aimed at helping Africa
to reduce poverty levels and integrate into the global economy. An economically
buoyant Africa raises the living standards of Africans, reduces the level of conflict and
forced migration, and increases Africa-Canada business opportunities and partnerships.
"Africa presents some unique challenges in terms of developing and strengthening trade
and business linkages," added Mr. Pettigrew. "This publication is one of many efforts we
are undertaking to help Canadian companies compete successfully and take maximum
advantage of trade and investment opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa."
To focus efforts more on trade promotion, additional financial resources will be made
available to trade offices in Africa and three new trade commissioners from the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade will be added -- one in each of
the following cities: Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya.
The Minister released the publication during Africa Direct, an event hosted by the
Canadian International Development Agency in co-operation with the Department of
Foreign Affairs and International Trade from May 3 to 17. Africa Direct is a new initiative
that will help build closer economic and political ties between Canada and the emerging
countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. More than 200 business representatives and
government officials from eight Sub-Saharan countries are in Canada seeking to
establish business linkages, partnerships and networks with Canadian suppliers and
service companies.
The Africa Trade Strategy is available on the following Web site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/africa/continent-e.htm?continent=Africa.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sylvie Bussières
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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