NEWS RELEASES
AFRICA AND CANADA STRENGTHEN TRADE RELATIONS
November 26, 2002 (11:50 a.m. EST) No. 158
AFRICA AND CANADA STRENGTHEN TRADE RELATIONS
Minister for International Trade Pierre Pettigrew today concluded Canada's trade mission to South
Africa, Nigeria and Senegal. The mission marked an important step in the development of trade relations
between Canada and Africa.
"Our mission has demonstrated our commitment to the New Partnership for Africa's Development and to
Africa itself," said Minister Pettigrew. "As our trade relations develop, a growing number of companies
will appreciate the exceptional opportunities that stronger ties with Africa can produce."
In all, more than a hundred representatives of Canadian companies and government organizations joined
Minister Pettigrew as part of the delegation, attesting to Canada's keen interest in developing closer
economic ties with Africa.
During the mission, participating Canadian businesses concluded 24 agreements, totalling more than
$150 million, including 6 contracts worth $76 million and 18 memorandums of understanding and letters
of intent worth $90 million.
In the course of the mission, Minister Pettigrew met with some of his African counterparts, in particular
Alec Erwin, South Africa's Trade and Industry Minister, Mustapha Bello, Nigeria's Commerce Minister,
and Aïcha Agne Pouye, Senegal's Minister of Small and Medium-sized Businesses and Commerce.
Mr. Pettigrew also met with Olusegun Obasanjo, the President of Nigeria and Abdoulaye Wade, the
President of Senegal.
In South Africa, Minister Pettigrew was present at the signing of an agreement between Export
Development Canada and the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa Limited. The
agreement aims to increase cooperation between Canada and South Africa in the financing of projects
conducted jointly in third markets.
While in Nigeria, Mr. Pettigrew and Susan Whelan, the Minister for International Cooperation,
announced the first stages in the creation of the $100 million African Investment Fund, which will take
shape during the new year and will help stimulate economic development by encouraging investment in
Africa.
In Senegal, Minister Pettigrew also opened the Canadian Trade Facilitation Office workshop in Dakar,
organized to help African exporters penetrate the Canadian market. These workshops were presented in
every city visited during the mission and have contributed to strengthening trade relations between
Canada and its African partners.
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A backgrounder describing the agreements concluded during the trade mission is attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Backgrounder
During the trade mission to South Africa, Nigeria and Senegal, International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew attended three
signing ceremonies for agreements concluded by Canadian businesses.
CANADA-SOUTH AFRICA BUSINESS AGREEMENTS
November 18, 2002
The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines Canada-Africa, Toronto, Ontario
The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines Canada-Africa signed a memorandum of understanding with the National
African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industries to form a partnership that will complement each other's business
activities.
The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines Canada-Africa signed a memorandum of understanding with IT Works of
Johannesburg for completion of a feasibility study regarding the development of mineral deposits in Mali.
EDUCOM Training Systems Inc., Ottawa, Ontario
EDUCOM Training Systems Inc. signed a contract with SOARsoft Africa to represent and distribute EDUCOM's e-mail
management products throughout all of Africa. SOARsoft will provide direct sales and, through the development of a
channel represented by resellers, provide all levels of engineering support and training. The value of the agreement is
approximately $10 million over two years, all of which is Canadian content.
First Nat Consulting and Export Corp., Montreal, Quebec
First Nat Consulting and Export Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding with Busisiwe Impex to construct a
hatchery and poultry plant in Boksburg, South Africa. First Nat Consulting will provide equipment and technical expertise
and related after sales services. The agreement is valued at $800,000, 80 percent of which is Canadian content.
Medical Databanks, Toronto, Ontario
Medical Databanks signed a memorandum of understanding to form a consortium with four South Africa-based companies,
including Phediso Health Consulting (PTY) Ltd., Intelleca Health (PTY) Ltd., MIDL Consulting C.C., and Lechabile
Technology Holdings (PTY) Ltd., as well as HOPE Research Centre of the University of Toronto. The consortium aims to
expand and improve health care delivery in South Africa and will also include patient monitoring and drug surveillance
services related to major diseases affecting South Africa, including HIV/AIDS. The potential value of the services provided
by the consortium is expected to generate $30 million over the next five years.
The Prospectus Group Inc., Ottawa, Ontario
The Prospectus Group Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with Tactical Software System to set up a joint venture
company, Prospectus South Africa, to sell Prospectus technology licences and solutions in the area of on-line trading,
e-commerce and knowledge management. The collective investment of this joint venture is $750,000, 50 percent of which
is Canadian content.
The Prospectus Group Inc. signed a contract with Wand Africa PTY Ltd. to distribute on-line information on business
opportunities through the Prospectus subsidiary Hypernet Inc., starting with the banking industry. The agreement is valued
at $200,000 over five years, all of which is Canadian content.
CANADA-NIGERIA BUSINESS AGREEMENTS
November 21, 2002
CPCS Transcom Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario
CPCS Transcom Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding with Magnartis Finance and Investment Ltd. to cooperate in
the development and execution of projects facilitating private investment in the transport sector. The agreement is valued at
$5 million over three years, of which $3 million is Canadian content.
Culloden Capital Inc., Toronto, Ontario
Culloden Capital Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with Yasava Aeronautics to collaborate in the investigation
and implementation of business models for the procurement of Canadian aircraft. The agreement is valued at $25 million
over two years, $5 million of which is Canadian content.
Digigraph Systems Inc., Boucherville, Quebec
Digigraph Systems Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with Edo State to begin the next phase of a housing
development project. Digigraph, with the financial support of the Canadian International Development Agency, will invest
up to $315,000 in a training program designed to provide Nigerian workers with specific construction skills.
Festival of Flags, Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador
Festival of Flags signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in
Lagos to cooperate in the promotion of peace initiatives.
Harris Corporation, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec
Harris Corporation signed a contract with Odu'a Investment Company Ltd. to supply, install and commission a broadband
communications system. This technology will provide voice, data and video services to five states of the southwest region
of Nigeria. The agreement is valued at $60 million over two years, $35 million of which is Canadian content.
Northern Lights College, Fort St. John, British Columbia
Northern Lights College signed a contract with the Canadian Studies Support System Ltd. office in Lagos to facilitate the
admission of foreign students into Northern Lights College for the purpose of taking university transfer courses. The
agreement is valued at $160,000, all of which is Canadian content.
CANADA-SENEGAL BUSINESS AGREEMENTS
November 25, 2002
Canbreal Therodiagnostics International Inc., Ottawa, Ontario
Canbreal Therodiagnostics International Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with the Institut du cancer de Dakar
[Dakar Cancer Institute] to develop a national and international breast cancer early detection program. The agreement is
valued at $10 million over five years, $7.5 million of which is Canadian content.
Éditions l'Artichaut, Rimouski, Quebec
Les Éditions l'Artichaut signed a contract with Senegal's Ministère de l'Éducation [Ministry of Education] to implement a
new method of teaching French in six Senegalese regions that have a high concentration of multi-grade classes. This
implementation phase will be complemented by a training program and instructional tools to promote students' active
involvement in their learning. The total value of the project is $600,000, all of which is Canadian content.
Enertec Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Enertec Canada signed a letter of intent with SECOM Afrique to build and manage an electric power station.
Enertec/SECOM Afrique will operate as a power supply subcontractor to a West African distribution company.
Festival of Flags, Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador
Festival of Flags signed a memorandum of understanding with the Institut de Gorée [Gorée Institute] to cooperate on
promoting peace and human rights initiatives.
G.T.I. Consortium, Beloeil, Quebec
G.T.I. Consortium signed a letter of intent with the Ministère de l'Urbanisme et de l'aménagement du territoire
[Ministry of Urban and National Development] to complete the digitized map of the national territory of Senegal.
The agreement is estimated to be worth $15 million over six years, all of which is Canadian content.
Iristel, Toronto, Ontario
Iristel signed a service contract with Sonatel to exchange bilateral international telephone traffic, including voice, fax and
data. The contract is estimated at $5 million a year, renewable annually, $3.5 million of which is Canadian content.
NSI Global Inc., Montreal, Quebec
NSI Global Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with the École Supérieure Multinationale des
Télécommunications [Multinational Telecommunications College] to fund and install satellite communications terminals.
NSI Global will also provide technical training for Senegalese employees. This agreement is worth $1.8 million, all of
which is Canadian content.
NSI Global Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding with the Comité National Sénégalais [Senegalese National
Committee] to fund and install satellite communications terminals. NSI Global will also provide technical training for
Senegalese employees. This agreement is worth $1.8 million, all of which is Canadian content.
RSW International, Montreal, Quebec
RSW International signed a memorandum of understanding with the Commune de St-Louis [St-Louis Commune] to fund
and carry out feasibility studies for rehabilitation and construction of urban infrastructures.
RSW International signed a memorandum of understanding with the Société d'aménagement de la Petite Côte (SAPCO)
[Petite Côte Development Corporation] to carry out feasibility and environmental and social impact studies for
development of new tourism sites on Senegal's Petite Côte.
Service Communications Morrissette, Montreal, Quebec
Service Communications Morrissette signed a memorandum of understanding with the Port Autonome de Dakar [Dakar
Autonomous Port] to perform a technical and financial study for installation of a port surveillance and security upgrade
system.
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