PRIME MINISTER TO LEAD TEAM CANADA 2002 TO RUSSIA AND GERMANY
February 8, 2002
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced he will lead a Team
Canada trade mission with twelve provincial and territorial leaders and over
300 business people to Russia and Germany from February 12-22, 2002.
International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Secretary of State (Central
and Eastern Europe and Middle East) Gar Knutson will also take part to support
Canada's growing trade and investment relations with these countries.
"This Team Canada mission will reinforce Canada's presence in
the growing Russian market. It shows our support for the historic structural
reforms underway in Russia that will create greater investor confidence and
anchor Russia as an open, market-driven economy," said the Prime Minister.
"Team Canada also offers great opportunities to increase two-way trade and
investment with Germany, a vital partner in an expanding European Union."
In Moscow, Prime Minister Chrétien, the provincial premiers and
territorial leaders will meet with President Vladimir Putin
and Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov. The Prime Minister will also host a Team
Canada networking event for Russian and Canadian business at the Luzhniki Sports Palace, site of 1972 Canada-USSR Hockey
Summit Series.
In Berlin, the Prime Minister, provincial premiers and territorial
leaders will meet German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder
and participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for Canada House, the new
Canadian embassy building. In Munich, the delegation will meet with Bavarian
Minister-President Edmund Stoiber.
In 2000, Canada's two-way trade with Russia and Germany reached
nearly $870 million and $11 billion, respectively. Canadian exports to Russia
in the first 11 months of 2001 increased by over 50 percent to $277 million
over the same period in 2000, particularly in the areas of oil and gas and
mining. Germany is a key investment partner for Canada, with over $10 billion
invested between the two countries. It is one of the most important European
markets in several key sectors, including aerospace, automotive and financial
and pharmaceutical services, and is the third largest market worldwide for
Canadian cultural products.
The Prime Minister has led previous Team Canada missions to China
in 1994; India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia in 1996; South Korea, the
Philippines and Thailand in 1997; Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile in 1998;
Japan in September 1999; and China and Hong Kong in 2001. He has also led Team
Canada Atlantic missions to Boston in 2000 and Atlanta in 2001, and recently
concluded a Team Canada West mission to Dallas and Los Angeles.
These initiatives have helped more than 2,550 representatives of
Canadian businesses and organizations gain access to international markets,
directly contributing to some $30.2 billion in new business.
PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
For more information on the Team Canada 2002 Trade Mission,
including a list of delegates, please consult:
http://www.tcm-mec.gc.ca/tc2002/menu-en.asp
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