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<title>PETTIGREW OPENS DOORS FOR CANADIAN BUSINESSES IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong></strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>September 12, 2000 <em>(1:50 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 226</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>PETTIGREW OPENS DOORS FOR CANADIAN BUSINESSES IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC</strong></font><font face="Arial"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Slovak Minister for the Economy Lubomir Harach today
signed a memorandum of understanding between Canada and the Slovak Republic on trade and economic
development co-operation to promote trade, investment and economic co-operation between the two countries.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"This agreement is a positive step in facilitating the negotiation and conclusion of commercial contracts," Mr.
Pettigrew said. He also met with Slovak Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Ivan Miklos.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Slovak Republic was the second stop by Minister Pettigrew and representatives from 55 Canadian
businesses on a trade mission to Central Europe September 10 to 15. Trade mission delegates had the
opportunity to forge ties here and set the stage for future contracts, and several signed deals or agreements
today.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">MIC-Alouette International Housing (Les Industries Ste-Anne de la Rochelle Inc.) of Saint-Lambert, Quebec
signed a $250 000 contract to build five houses in the City of Harichovce this year. Phase two of the project,
involving a second contract for 15 houses, is expected this fall. The company also signed an agreement of
intent with Candom to negotiate a $1-million contract to build 15 to 20 condominium units in the town of
Piezany.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">First Nat Consulting & Export Corp. of Pointe-Claire, Quebec signed a contract with Vienna, Austria-based India
Waren Handlungs Gesselschaft Ltd. to sell five Quebec-made skate-sharpening machines. The Austrian
company will open an office in Bratislava, Slovakia as a result of this deal to distribute and sell the machines in
Central Europe. First Nat expects to sell more machines through this arrangement in the future.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Minister Pettigrew also announced, in conjunction with Minister for International Co-operation Maria Minna, the
launch of a new project to assist Slovak education officials in determining the job skills needed by their small
companies. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) contributed $260 000 to the Vocational
Training Systems Project in the Slovak Republic, a project that will promote job creation and reduce the
unemployment rate in Slovakia by training more people in accordance with business needs.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"As one of my priorities, CIDA's contribution to education will quadruple over the next five years from $41 million
to $164 million a year," said Ms. Minna. "Slovak people as well as others in need, will benefit from its new
investment through projects like this."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The trade mission began in Budapest, Hungary and will continue in Prague, the Czech Republic and Ljubljana,
Slovenia.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For more information about the mission, visit the Team Canada Web site at</font></p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220181910/http://www.tcm-mec.gc.ca/"><font face="Arial">http://www.tcm-mec.gc.ca</a></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Sylvie Bussières</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Robin Walsh</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Co-operation</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(819) 953-3160</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Service </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(819) 953-6534</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Email: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220181910/mailto:info@acdi-cida.gc.ca">info@acdi-cida.gc.ca</a></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Web Site: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220181910/http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/">http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca</a> (electronic version of document)</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Trade Web site: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220181910/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></font></p>
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