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<title>MARCHI ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS MISSION</title>
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<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">March 9, 1999 <em>(2:15 p.m. EST)</em> No. 52</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"> MARCHI ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS MISSION</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi today announced that he will be leading a young entrepreneurs partnering mission to northern
California April 6 to 8. This will be the first trade mission to focus exclusively on Canadian innovators who are playing a leading role in
knowledge-based industries.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"We will be taking our best and brightest high-tech entrepreneurs and introducing them to potential U.S. business partners," said Mr. Marchi. "A
major focus of this mission is to promote strategic alliances between Canadian companies and those in San Francisco and the Silicon Valley."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Approximately 50 young entrepreneurs from across Canada in the fields of animation, environmental technologies and hardware and software
technologies for the Internet will accompany Minister Marchi to northern California.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"I'm enthusiastic at the prospect of leading a team of young Canadians who know what they want and are prepared to go for it," said Mr. Marchi.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The mission will also include a separate program showcasing animation education in Canada.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">With revenues in 1997 of $65.6 billion, Canada's information and communications technology industry has been growing by 9.3 percent per year
since 1990. Canadian high-tech products have won worldwide recognition for their quality and innovation.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The San Francisco Bay Area, which includes Silicon Valley, is one of the premier centres of the world's knowledge-based industry and is home
to 7000 high-tech companies representing a combined market value of US$450 billion.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canadian companies have a great deal to offer the Bay Area in terms of both trade and investment," Mr. Marchi said. "Our high technology is
cutting-edge and offers great value to potential U.S. partners."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canadian companies interested in participating may contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at (613) 944-2520; fax
(613) 996-3406; or visit our Web site (http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/section4/missions/california). The deadline for mission applications is
March 18.</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">Leslie Swartman</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>
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