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Ottawa, August 4, 2004
2004-041

Minister Goodale to Embark on African Fact-Finding Tour

Minister of Finance Ralph Goodale today announced plans for a 10-day, four-nation visit to Africa as part of his duties as a member of the Commission for Africa. Between August 10 and August 19 he will travel to Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria and Mali.

"This visit is a valuable opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing Africa," said Minister Goodale, who serves on the Commission’s working group on the African economy.

"I hope to be better able to contribute to solutions that will raise living standards and build a more prosperous future for African citizens. Support for Africa has long been a Canadian priority but, considering at least 70 per cent of the world’s poorest nations are in Africa, there is obviously much more left to do."

During the tour the Minister will meet with elected and government officials, academics, development experts and representatives of the business community, including fellow commissioners Benjamin William Mkapa, President of Tanzania, Trevor Manuel, South African Minister of Finance, and Nigerian business leader Fola Adeola.

In March Minister Goodale accepted an invitation from UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown to serve on the new Commission for Africa, created to develop new ways of helping Africa meet its development goals and achieve its economic potential. This month’s visit comes in advance of the Commission’s October meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which will be chaired by British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The 17-member Commission will report to G-8 leaders in the spring of 2005.

"Like all commissioners I want to learn what works, what doesn’t, and what more we should be doing to help," said Minister Goodale. "By contributing what we can to this vital effort, through such recent initiatives as annual increases in international assistance and legislation permitting drug companies to provide anti-HIV/AIDS drugs at low cost to African countries, Canada can help address the immense challenges facing Africa today."

More details on the tour and on media availability will be announced shortly.

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