November 25, 2004 (4:00 p.m. EST) No. 139

Peterson Wraps up Trade Mission to Brazil

International Trade Minister Jim Peterson today concluded the Canada trade mission to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where delegates made valuable business linkages with potential partners, created new business relationships and were able to build on existing ones.

"Canada is targeting Brazil as a key country in the emerging markets strategy it is developing," said Minister Peterson. "Brazil is a gateway to South America and this mission has allowed us to build bridges for the long term."

Brazil is currently Canada's 16th-largest export market worldwide and 15th-largest trading partner. Key sectors include agriculture, biotechnology, environment, energy, oil and gas, mining, financial services, pulp and paper, information technologies and telecommunications.

Prime Minister Paul Martin met the delegation and Brazilian business people while in Sao Paulo, where he also addressed the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce.

While in Brazil, Minister Peterson met with Brazilian Minister of Development, Industry and International Trade Luiz Furlan, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply Roberto Rodrigues and Minister of Foreign Affairs Celso Amorim. All affirmed their commitment to working together to resolve the aircraft dispute between the two countries and to moving forward on the WTO Doha Development Round.

More than 50 representatives of Canadian businesses and government organizations participated in this mission to Brazil.