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<title>PETTIGREW TO LEAD TRADE AND INVESTMENT MISSIONTO SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>September 24, 2002 <em>(4:15 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 109</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>PETTIGREW TO LEAD TRADE AND INVESTMENT MISSION</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>TO SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew will lead a multi-sectoral trade and investment mission to South
Africa, Nigeria, and Senegal from November 15 to 26 to establish business and trade relationships between
Canadian companies and African partners.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canadian companies can play a key role in propelling Africa's economic development," said Minister Pettigrew.
"By bringing a business delegation to sub-Saharan Africa, I believe we can open doors for Canadian
businesses and develop strong trade and investment partnerships with African countries."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Many African economies are growing economically and looking outward, generating higher demand for
imported products and services, joint ventures and investment. In 2001, bilateral trade in merchandise between
Canada and sub-Saharan Africa was $1.69 billion; merchandise exports to that region grew to $690 million; and
imports totalled $1 billion. Sub-Saharan Africa ranked as the 19th largest market worldwide for Canadian goods
in 2001. For the year 2000, sales of services to sub-Saharan Africa added approximately $630 million to
Canadian exports.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This initiative fulfills one of the commitments made by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien at the G8 Summit in
Kananaskis last June. At that time the Prime Minister announced several steps that Canada will take to support
African development, including increased access to Canadian markets for African exporters, stronger trade and
investment links between Canada and African countries, and resources for good governance, conflict
prevention, education, health, agricultural research and water management.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">These announcements represent a commitment of $6 billion in new and existing resources over five years by
the Government of Canada to Africa's development, including the $500-million Canada Fund for Africa,
announced in the December 2001 federal budget.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For more information on the mission and the opportunities available to Canadian companies in South Africa,
Nigeria and Senegal visit the Africa Trade Mission Web site at <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220204323/http://www.tcm-mec.gc.ca/africa/">http://www.tcm-mec.gc.ca/africa/</a> or contact the
Team Canada Division at (613) 944-2520.</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">Sébastien Théberge</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Director of Communications</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><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220204323/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/"><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></font></p>
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