NEWS RELEASES
CANADA HOSTS THE FIRST CANADA-U.S. BUSINESSWOMEN'S TRADE SUMMIT
May 10, 1999 (4:30 p.m. EDT) No. 105
CANADA HOSTS THE FIRST CANADA-U.S. BUSINESSWOMEN'S TRADE SUMMIT
The first-ever Canada-U.S. Businesswomen's Trade Summit will bring together about 250 women from both sides
of the border from May 17 to 21 in Toronto, International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi announced today. The
Minister will co-chair the Summit, along with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, William Daley, and the Administrator
of U.S. Small Business Administration, Aida Alvarez.
The Summit, which will be the largest event of its kind in the world promoting women entrepreneurs, will include
seminars on international trade issues and policies, with a view to making recommendations to the Canadian and
U.S. governments. The Summit is also a commitment stemming from the Canadian Businesswomen's Trade
Mission that Minister Marchi led to Washington, D.C., in November 1997.
"Women-owned businesses already employ over 1.7 million people and are creating jobs at four times our national
rate," said Minister Marchi. "This Summit will give participants the opportunity to share ideas, resources and best
practices -- essential knowledge for those looking beyond Canada's border for the chance to compete
internationally."
The co-chairs will sign a Joint Co-operative Declaration to promote cross-border trade for women-owned small and
medium-sized enterprises, and will also witness new business deals to be signed between Canadian and U.S.
firms led by women.
The Summit will allow Canadian businesswomen to develop cross-border business in order to capture a larger
share of the lucrative U.S. export market, and will also provide significant networking, partnering and marketing
opportunities for its delegates.
A joint initiative between the Canadian and U.S. governments, the Summit also has substantial sponsorship from
the private sector, including The Royal Bank of Canada and Federal Express Canada. Fifteen other private sector
companies are also supporting the event.
More information about the Summit can be found on the Internet at www.businesswomensummit.com
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Leslie Swartman
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Robert MacLean/Nicola Moore
Canada Porter Novelli
(416) 925-4825
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