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NEWS RELEASES

October 5, 2000 (3:00 p.m. EDT) No. 251

MINISTER PETTIGREW TO LEAD TRADE MISSION

TO MAGHREB AND IBERIAN PENINSULA

International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew will lead a Trade Mission to the Maghreb (Morocco and Algeria) and the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal) from October 10 to 21. This is one of the largest missions ever to be led by a Canadian minister for international trade. The purpose of the mission is to promote Canada's trade interests and strengthen bilateral ties in this region.

"Morocco and Algeria are undergoing major political, economic and social change," Minister Pettigrew said, "and Spain and Portugal are very attractive markets for our exporters. Canadian business people are definitely interested in this part of the world, and a large number of them plan to take part in this trade mission."

Approximately 100 Canadian businesses and organizations (more than 120 delegates), including about 60 from Quebec (more than 70 delegates) will join Minister Pettigrew. Among the many sectors that will be represented are information technologies and telecommunications, building and construction, agriculture and agri-food, business and professional services, energy products and technologies, transportation, oil and gas, health, education and the environment.

During his visit to Casablanca, Minister Pettigrew will meet with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco, and with Morocco's Minister of Industry, Commerce and Handicrafts. The talks will focus on ways of enhancing Canada's presence in this region in the coming years.

The trade mission will then go to Algeria, where Minister Pettigrew will have the opportunity to promote Canada's expertise in several sectors. Algeria is Canada's largest trading partner in Africa.

In Spain, Minister Pettigrew will meet with the Minister of Economy and Finance, who is also one of Spain's two vice-presidents. In addition, he will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Science and Technology, and the Secretary of State for Trade. Bilateral trade between Canada and Spain totalled $1.4 billion in 1999, making Spain Canada's 17th-largest trading partner.

In Lisbon, Minister Pettigrew will meet with Portugal's Minister of the Economy and with the Minister of Public Works. Bilateral trade between Canada and Portugal totalled $320 million in 1999.

For more information on this mission, please visit the Team Canada Web site (http://www.tcm-mec.gc.ca).

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Following is a list of participants in the Canada Trade Mission to the Maghreb and the Iberian peninsula.

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

Backgrounder

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS