NEWS RELEASES
CANADA AND NIGERIA TO CO-OPERATE ON TRADE AND INVESTMENT
May 3, 2001 (11:45 a.m. EDT) No. 55
CANADA AND NIGERIA TO CO-OPERATE
ON TRADE AND INVESTMENT
International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Chief Dubem Onyia, the Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign
Affairs, signed a Trade and Investment Co-operation Arrangement today, during a three-day meeting of the
Canada-Nigeria Joint Economic Commission (JEC) held from May 2 to 4. The Arrangement will help Canadian
firms find opportunities to provide goods, investment and expertise to Nigeria. It will serve as a blueprint for
establishing a healthy, stable investment environment.
"Both Canada and Nigeria recognize the importance of reinforcing the flow of goods and services and the value
of promoting a favourable environment for trade and investment," Minister Pettigrew said. "Canadian investors
have expressed interest in Nigeria, and we are providing a forum for exchange between the private sectors of
both countries while offering Nigeria an opportunity to seek Canadian technical assistance and investment in
key sectors.
"As the largest country and potential market in Africa, Nigeria will be an important partner in Canada's Africa
Trade Strategy," Mr. Pettigrew added. The Minister announced the strategy last year, a key component of
which is to increase Canada's economic ties with African nations.
Chief Onyia led a Nigerian delegation of some 40 government and business representatives to Canada for the
event. The JEC has met twice before -- in Ottawa in 1986 and in Abuja, Nigeria in 1990.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
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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