NEWS RELEASES
EGGLETON LEADS BUSINESS DELEGATION TO ISRAELAND THE WEST BANK
February 17, 1997 No. 31
EGGLETON LEADS BUSINESS DELEGATION TO ISRAEL
AND THE WEST BANK
The Honourable Art Eggleton, Minister for International Trade, will lead a
delegation of approximately 50 Canadian business people to Israel and the West
Bank from February 22 to 26 to pursue business opportunities.
"The Israeli market has never been more accessible for Canadian companies, in
light of the recent implementation of the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement,"
said Mr. Eggleton. "This is an ideal time for Canadians to pursue commercial
opportunities in Israel."
A private sector Business Advisory Group, composed of leading Israeli and Canadian
business people will meet during the trade mission. Its objective is to develop
greater awareness among the Canadian business community of the economic priorities
and potential of the Israeli market. The Group will also encourage Canadian
enterprises to seek out Israeli partners to respond to new business made available
by the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement.
During the mission, Mr. Eggleton will chair the Joint Economic Commission and the
Canada-Israel Trade Commission, which are composed of Israeli and Canadian
government officials. The purpose of these commissions is to facilitate bilateral
trade between Israel and Canada and to encourage economic and technical co-operation in mutually agreed sectors of importance.
Minister Eggleton will meet with the Palestinian Minister of Economics and Trade
to continue dialogue on establishing a framework for free trade between Canada and
the West Bank and Gaza.
"This mission is a true reflection of the Team Canada partnership between
government and the private sector," said Mr. Eggleton. "Governments establish the
framework for freer trade, while businesses turn new opportunities into commercial
success. Canadian companies succeeding abroad ultimately means job creation back
home."
Before returning to Ottawa, Mr. Eggleton will visit The Hague, Netherlands, on
February 27 and 28. The purpose of his visit is to review the agenda of the Dutch
Presidency of the European Union (January to June 1997) and to advance Canadian
commercial and investment interests. He will meet with the Netherlands' Secretary
of State for Economic Affairs and Secretary of State for Defence. Mr. Eggleton
will also address the Canada-Netherlands Chamber of Commerce. The Netherlands is
presiding over the Council of Europe for the first half of 1997.
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For information on Minister Eggleton's itinerary, media representatives may
contact:
Nicole Bourget
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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