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UNIQUE CANADIAN ABORIGINAL FOOD PRODUCTS TO BE FEATURED AT SIAL INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

MONTREAL, Quebec, Monday, March 5, 2001 - A showcase of food products from companies of Canadian Aboriginal ownership will be on display at the SIAL trade show in Montreal, Quebec from Monday, March 5, to Tuesday, March 6.

SIAL is a biennial international trade fair for the food and beverage sector. Thirty countries will be represented at the event.

"This exciting exhibition has been a true partnership among the private sector, the SIAL fair authority, and a number of Government of Canada departments that have worked with us to bring the food products of nine Aboriginal companies to the attention of hundreds of buyers who will attend SIAL," said Johanne Robertson, President and General Director of the First People's Business Association, the organization that coordinated and staged the Aboriginal Pavilion.

In addition to pursuing individual sales opportunities, the exhibitors will gain experience in an international forum, establish contacts with other producers and meet with Canadian Trade Commissioners who can help them with ongoing export opportunities.

Producers of specialty items such as dried meats and fish, blueberry and cranberry products, wild rice and herbal teas will be on hand to promote their companies and represent the diversity of Canada's Aboriginal agri-food sector. Participating companies were required to be experienced exporters or export-ready, and had to submit to a jury process in order to be selected for SIAL.

Reflecting the objectives of the Aboriginal International Business Development Plan, Industry Canada, through Aboriginal Business Canada, the Department Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food jointly sponsored this initiative. Aboriginal Business Canada and the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development provided financial support to the First People's Business Association for this initiative. Aboriginal Business Canada also provided partial financing to support the participation of individual exhibitors in the Aboriginal Pavilion.

Many other Canadian producers will be featured at SIAL. Information about these firms will be available on site at the Canada Pavilion.

A backgrounder on the Aboriginal businesses represented at SIAL is attached.

For more information, please contact:

Francesca Piredda
Media Relations
Industry Canada
(613) 947-7457

Johanne Robertson
President and General Director
First People's Business Association
(418) 843-4535

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