NEWS RELEASES

October 12, 2001 (3:45 p.m. EDT) No. 142

PETTIGREW TO ATTEND INFORMAL WTO MEETING IN SINGAPORE

International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew will participate in an informal meeting of trade ministers this weekend in Singapore aimed at building the broader consensus necessary to launch a new round of World Trade Organization (WTO) talks next month.

In Singapore, Mr. Pettigrew will advocate an ambitious and balanced WTO negotiating agenda that maximizes opportunities for growth and sustainable development for all WTO members. He will also encourage improved WTO transparency, and urge his colleagues to agree to formally release the draft Ministerial Declaration to the public.

"More than ever, the global economy needs the stimulus a new round of multilateral negotiations would provide," said Minister Pettigrew. "Canada supports improvements to the WTO system that address developing countries' need for resolution of their concerns about current WTO obligations, enhanced trade-related technical assistance and improved market access -- particularly for agricultural products."

Trade ministers from a broadly representative group of 20 developed and developing WTO members will discuss the key differences remaining among them, focussing on the draft Ministerial Declaration.

Countries attending the Singapore meeting include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Egypt, the European Union, Gabon, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Tanzania and the United States.

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