NEWS RELEASES
CANADA SIGNS PROTOCOL WITH ISRAEL
February 24, 1997 No. 35
CANADA SIGNS PROTOCOL WITH ISRAEL
The Honourable Art Eggleton, Minister for International Trade, and the Minister of
Industry and Commerce of the State of Israel, Natan Sharansky, today signed a
protocol for the extension to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) providing
funding for the Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation
(CIIRDF). Both countries will contribute $3 million each to the Foundation. The
announcement was made in conjunction with their meeting this week in Israel.
CIIRDF was established to promote collaboration between Canadian and Israeli firms
on industrial research and development projects.
"This CIIRDF contribution will assist firms in both countries to take advantage of
the business opportunities created by the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement,"
said Mr. Eggleton. "Research and development is increasingly critical in
advancing our economies as we approach the 21st century."
As of June 1996, a total of 12 projects had been approved for CIIRDF funding
representing $3.85 million in R&D co-operation between both countries. The
majority of these projects are in the fields of biotechnology and information
technologies.
"For Canada, the CIIRDF model is unique," said Mr. Eggleton. "We have not
established such an instrument with any other trading partner, and we will be
following its progress as it continues to contribute to stronger Canada-Israel
industrial research ties."
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Nicole Bourget
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
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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