NEWS RELEASES
MARCHI TO LEAD FIRST MISSION OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS TO WASHINGTON
September 16, 1997 No. 147
MARCHI TO LEAD FIRST MISSION OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS TO
WASHINGTON
International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi will lead the first businesswomen's
trade mission to Washington, D.C., from November 11 to 14, 1997. This four-day
Team Canada mission is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade and the Royal Bank of Canada. It will feature market
information and mentoring sessions, networking events with key decision makers and
other business development activities aimed at forging links with leading U.S.
firms.
"Nearly one third of Canadian firms are owned or operated by women, but they are
currently under-represented in the exporting community," said Mr. Marchi. "This
mission will help women entrepreneurs to reach their export objectives and
heighten awareness of their importance to the Canadian economy."
The mission is expected to attract more than 100 women entrepreneurs and will
explore opportunities in the lucrative $11.5 billion mid-Atlantic U.S. market.
Canadian exports already make up a significant portion of this region's economy.
The more than 700 000 women-led businesses in Canada account for 1.7 million jobs
and are creating new jobs at a rate four times the national average. Projections
indicate that there will be 680 000 self-employed women by the year 2000.
The Minister made today's announcement during his remarks to the closing plenary
of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women Leaders' Network Meeting in
Ottawa.
More information on the businesswomen's trade mission can be obtained from the
Canadian Embassy in Washington by telephone at (202) 682-1740, extension 7305, or
by fax at (202) 682-7619.
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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
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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