<html>
<head>
<meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8">
<title>CANADIAN BUSINESS, CULTURE ON DISPLAYAT CANADA NAS GERAIS IN BRAZIL</title>
</head>
<body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0">
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">September 3, 1997 No. 138</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADIAN BUSINESS, CULTURE ON DISPLAY</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AT <em>CANADA NAS GERAIS</em> IN BRAZIL</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Courier">Canada's business savvy and rich, diverse cultural life will be the centre of
attention for eleven days in September during the <em>Canada nas Gerais</em> business
exhibition and arts festival in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The September 3-14 event is designed to showcase Canadian companies in the dynamic
and growing State of Minas Gerais. More than 100 Canadian firms are expected to
attend the festival.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"This trade show symbolizes Canada's long-term commitment to forge closer links
with Brazil, Canada's largest trading partner in South America," said
International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi. "I am confident that this event will
demonstrate both the many business opportunities in Canada, and the creativity of
Canadian artists."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Business events will include:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> seminars by Canadian firms on advanced manufacturing technologies, such as
robotics, followed by meetings with interested clients;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> an environmental mission that will help Canadian firms find partners and
investment opportunities in recycling, pollution control and other areas;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> an education fair involving more than 25 Canadian educational institutions; and</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> a food and consumer products show, tourism seminars, and an auction of Canadian
beef cattle.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The cultural component of the fair presents a varied program, including: dance
from Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and Margie Gillis; jazz from the Oliver Jones
trio and Renée Lee; the Celtic energy of Ashley MacIssac and the Kitchen Devils;
as well as performances by trapeze artists and country and classical musicians.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Other events will include: </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> Terry Fox runs in three Brazilian cities to raise funds for cancer research;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> an in-line skate "Canada Cup" tournament involving teams from Minas Gerais and
other states; </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> a food festival led by chef Stephane Paquet that will introduce Brazilians to
such exotic fare as maple syrup, wild rice and buffalo steaks;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> Canadian author Evelyn Lau's launch of the Brazilian edition of her novel
<em>Runaway</em>; and</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> a film festival and animation workshop, an exhibit of Inuit art, and other
cultural displays.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">More than 90 per cent of the cost of <em>Canada nas Gerais</em> is funded by Canadian and
Brazilian business partners who see the festival as an excellent opportunity to
develop business contacts and boost their marketing in Brazil. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">-30-</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Leslie Swartman,</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Director of Communications</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
</body>
</html>
