NEWS RELEASES
March 5, 2004 (10:15 a.m. EST)
No. 34
KNUTSON CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL TRADE MISSION
TO CENTRAL AMERICA
Minister of State (New and Emerging Markets) Gar Knutson today concluded Central
America Circuit 2004, a trade mission he led to Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica
and Panama starting on March 1.
Central America Circuit 2004 is the largest Canadian business mission ever led by a
minister to the region, with 39 representatives from 26 companies in sectors such as
agri-food and beverages; construction and building products; and environmental
services and technologies. The participating Canadian companies were extremely
pleased with the opportunity to meet so many qualified Central American business
contacts.
"Canadian companies have a lot to offer to the region," said Minister Knutson. "As our
commercial relations develop, and access improves, more and more businesses see
the enormous opportunities represented by Canada's strong ties with Central America."
During the mission, Minister Knutson met with a number of his counterparts to discuss
ways to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations between Canada and
Central America. He also met with President Óscar Berger of Guatemala, Vice-President Carlos Quintanilla Schmidt of El Salvador, Vice-President Lineth Saborío of
Costa Rica, and Vice-President Kaiser Bazán of Panama.
In Guatemala, Mr. Knutson visited the facilities of the mail-sorting plant of El Correo, a
partner of Canada Post International (CPI). Following on the success of an earlier five-year contract, El Correo and CPI have been awarded and are awaiting passage of the
concession to administer Guatemala's postal service for another 10 years.
In El Salvador, Mr. Knutson announced--on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister
Bill Graham, and jointly with Foreign Affairs Minister María Eugenia Brizuela
de Ávila--that Canada will be upgrading its office in San Salvador next summer to a full
embassy with a resident ambassador.
In Costa Rica, Mr. Knutson met with Costa Rican business people and addressed the
Costa Rica-Canada Chamber of Commerce, where he outlined the benefits that the
Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement has had on our bilateral relationship. Since
the Agreement's entry into force just over a year ago, bilateral trade between Canada
and Costa Rica has increased 11 percent. Parallel agreements on environment and
labour cooperation were also signed.
"This bilateral free trade agreement stands as a model for economic cooperation
between a developed and a developing country," said Mr. Knutson.
In Panama, the Minister officially opened the Canadian pavilion at Expocomer, Central
America's largest regional trade show. Canada is proud to be the only country to have
participated in this international trade show every year since its inception in 1983.
Many Canadian companies have successfully pursued market opportunities in Central
America, and Canadian exports to the region have grown dramatically throughout the
1990s. In 2003, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Central America
reached $968.55 million: Canada's merchandise exports to the region grew to
$335.18 million and imports totalled $633.37 million.
For information on Central America Circuit 2004, visit
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/latinamerica/2004circuit.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Jennifer Wesanko
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (New and Emerging Markets)
(613) 944-1679
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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