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ONTARIO AND ALBERTA OPEN TRADE OFFICES AT THE CANADIAN CONSULATE IN MUNICH

February 20, 2002 (4:00 p.m. EST) No. 18

ONTARIO AND ALBERTA OPEN TRADE OFFICES

AT THE CANADIAN CONSULATE IN MUNICH

As part of the Team Canada 2002 trade mission to Germany, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Ontario Premier Mike Harris and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein today announced the opening of provincial marketing centres within the Canadian consulate in Munich, Germany. They were joined by International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew.

"Initiatives such as this are a fine example of the Team Canada approach to branding Canada as a business partner of choice in the global economy of the 21st century," said the Prime Minister. "Our government's record of balanced budgets, lower corporate and personal income taxes, falling public debt and strategic economic investments is a highlight of the great Canadian success story that we are aggressively promoting around the world. I am pleased that this new arrangement will permit us to coordinate our efforts in Germany more closely with Ontario and Alberta."

"This marketing centre is a resource for Ontario business people who want to get into the German market and for Germans who want to know more about doing business in Ontario," Harris said. "Alberta and Ontario led the drive toward tax competitiveness and are leaders in creating a positive climate for jobs and investment. Today's announcements are yet another of our initiatives to help Canadian businesses succeed."

"This is Alberta's first new trade office in Europe," said Klein, "which is reflective of Alberta's strong business ties to Germany. It will also be a gateway to the larger European market and an important step in ensuring that Alberta and Ontario remain globally competitive in trade and investment."

The offices opened today will be the eighth for Alberta and the first of five for Ontario.

Germany is a key investment partner for Canada with $10 billion invested between the two countries. It is also one of Canada's most important European markets in several sectors, including aerospace, automotive, financial, pharmaceutical services and cultural products. Bilateral trade between Canada and Germany totalled nearly

$11 billion in 2000, making Germany Canada's sixth-largest trading partner.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Ontario Premier's Media Office

(416) 325-7600

Mark Erdman

Director, Communications

Alberta Economic Development