NEWS RELEASES

October 25, 1996 No. 197

EGGLETON PRESENTS 1996 INTERNATIONAL TRADE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

The Honourable Art Eggleton, Minister for International Trade, today presented the 1996 Minister's International Trade Award for Excellence to Louis Poisson, Deputy Director, Trade, South America and Inter-American Division, for his outstanding efforts to promote and increase trade opportunities in the Americas, while acting as both Director and Deputy Director of the Latin American and the Caribbean Trade Program last year.

"Mr. Poisson did not simply maintain the status quo. He continued to aggressively increase trade opportunities in his region of responsibility," said Mr. Eggleton when presenting the Award. "As a result, he has delivered a successful program of trade fairs, major incoming and outgoing missions, in addition to in-country activities, including work on Canada's International Business Strategy and follow-up of the Prime Minister's Team Canada Mission to Latin America in 1995."

Mr. Eggleton also presented four citations for exemplary service in the field of international trade.

William Horovitz, Trade Commissioner, International Trade Centre in Montréal, was recognized for consistently providing exceptional service over three decades by contributing to the export success and joint-venture agreements of numerous companies, and penetrating Asia-Pacific markets.

Director Rick McElrea, Deputy Director Marcel Laneville, and Senior Sourcing Officer Sheila Johnson, as leaders of the International Business Opportunities Centre team, were cited for developing and implementing a system to deliver qualified trade leads to Canadian companies, which has put 9000 companies in direct contact with Canada's trade officers abroad and led to millions of dollars in sales, thereby creating or sustaining jobs across the country.

Brigitte Léger, Deputy Director, Maghreb and Arabian Peninsula Division, received a citation for creating, while on assignment in Princeton, New Jersey, an extensive database to advise Canadian high-tech private-sector exporters; for initiating $250 million in investment for Canada; and for assisting in the creation of approximately 400 jobs in the high-tech sector in Canada.

David Wong, assigned to the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei through an interchange with the Alberta government, was acknowledged for his impressive agri-food promotion initiatives, from organizing related activities and expansion in several new sectors, to building linkages with other education and cultural activities, which have led to significant increases in exports of agri-food products.

The Award for Excellence is presented annually as part of the Department's Recognition and Awards Program.

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Nicole Bourget

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister for International Trade

(613) 996-6271

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