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<title>MARCHI REPORTS ON CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">May 11, 1998 No. 118</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">MARCHI REPORTS ON CANADA'S </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Courier">International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi today released the second annual
report on Canada's international business development (IBD) endeavours. The
report, entitled <em>Achievements of the International Business Development Program
1997/98</em>, focusses on the results and achievements of the government's IBD
efforts. The report was tabled in the House of Commons today by Julian Reed,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Trade. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada's exports reached another record high last year," said Mr. Marchi. "We
can attribute this success, in part, to our international business development
activities. While this is good news, we must continue to work hand-in-hand with
our provincial and private sector partners to sustain this momentum. The Team
Canada partnership will help Canadian exporters become even more competitive in
the global arena."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The centrepiece of the IBD program is the recently created Team Canada Inc
network of service providers led by three federal government departments: Foreign
Affairs and International Trade, Industry Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada. These core departments are working together to provide enhanced programs
and services to the Canadian business community.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Our IBD initiatives are not only paving the way for more Canadian companies to
venture into new markets, but also are attracting foreign investment to Canada by
providing targeted and cost-effective programs and services. The continuing
success of Canadian companies abroad is being translated directly into increased
economic growth and job creation here at home," said Mr. Marchi.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><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">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>
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