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<title>PETTIGREW TO LEAD TRADE MISSION TO MEXICO</title>
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<p><strong></strong><font size="+1"><strong>April 17, 2002 <em>(2:00 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 34</strong></font><font size="+1"></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>PETTIGREW TO LEAD TRADE MISSION TO MEXICO</strong></font></p>
<p>International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced that he will lead a trade mission to Mexico from June 3 to 7.
The goal of the trade mission is to promote even stronger business relations between the two countries and to support the
efforts of Canadian exporters in their Mexican market development efforts.</p>
<p>"Since NAFTA, more Canadian companies than ever have been discovering and succeeding in Mexico," said Mr.
Pettigrew. "Mexico has experienced a remarkable transition over the past few years. My goal is to see Canadian business
gain an even larger share of this dynamic and fast growing export market."</p>
<p>Mexico's economy continues to show excellent potential for trade with Canada. Mexico was one of Canada's top export
growth markets in 2001, making it Canada's sixth largest export market overall. Since NAFTA came into effect in 1994,
Canadian exports to Mexico have more than doubled to $2.5 billion in 2001. Canadian merchandise exports enjoyed a 20-percent increase in 2001 as Canadian companies increased their market share in Mexico. </p>
<p>The trade mission will visit two of Mexico's most influential business centres, Mexico City and Monterrey. In each city
there will be a tailored business program consisting of seminars, conferences and networking opportunities designed to
introduce participants to local decision makers and business leaders. A number of sectors will be the subject of a particular
focus: agri-food products, aerospace and defence, construction and building products, education services, environment
technologies, information technology, telecommunications and transport infrastructure.</p>
<p>The last major Canadian trade mission to Mexico took place when Team Canada visited the country in January 1998
accompanied by more than 250 organizations.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>A backgrounder is attached.</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Sébastien Théberge</p>
<p>Office of the Minister for International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 992-7332</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221002051/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>Backgrounder</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADA-MEXICO BUSINESS TIES</strong></font></p>
<p>• Mexico is Canada's most important trading partner in Latin America.</p>
<p>• In 2001, Canada was Mexico's second most important export market. Mexico exported $12.1 billion in merchandise to
Canada in 2001. </p>
<p>• In 2001, total bilateral Canada-Mexico merchandise trade reached $14.6 billion. Canadian exports to Mexico have
experienced double-digit annual growth since the entry into force of NAFTA in 1994.</p>
<p>• Over half of Canada's exports to Mexico are manufactured products (e.g. automotive-related, information and
communications equipment, machinery), but agri-food is also an important component.</p>
<p>• Canada's principal imports from Mexico are cars and parts, machinery, furniture, mineral fuels, fruits and vegetables,
optical products, woven apparel, vegetables, and iron and steel.</p>
<p>• Canadian foreign direct investment into Mexico in 2001 reached $4 billion, making Canada the fourth largest investor in
Mexico.</p>
<p>• Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world, with a population of 20 million and almost 25 percent of the
country's GDP.</p>
<p>• Monterrey, with a population of 3.2 million, is the headquarters of the country's highly influential <em>grupos</em> (industrial
conglomerates), and enjoys lively cross-border trade and investment with the United States.</p>
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