
Français		Home		Contact Us		Help		Search		canada.gc.ca		Canada International

Home > Media Room

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

Canadian Offices Abroad

Services for Canadian Travellers

Services for Business

Canada in the World

About the Department

NEWS RELEASES

2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998 - 1997 - 1996

Print friendly version - Printing Tips

<html> <head> <meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8"> <title>CANADA CONTRIBUTES TO THE COMMON TRUST FUND FOR SELECTED AFRICAN COUNTRIES</title> </head> <body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> May 19, 1998 No. 127 CANADA CONTRIBUTES TO THE COMMON TRUST FUND FOR SELECTED AFRICAN COUNTRIES Sergio Marchi, Minister for International Trade, and Diane Marleau, Minister for International Co-operation and Minister responsible for la Francophonie, announced today that Canada will contribute $350 000 to a new multilateral trust fund for trade-related technical assistance to African countries. The announcement was made simultaneously today in Geneva by Minister Marchi, who is attending the Second World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, and in Ottawa by Minister Marleau. The contribution to the Common Trust Fund will be used for programs in Burkina Faso and Tanzania, two of the least developed countries included in the fund. "We must ensure that Africa reaps the benefits of globalization," Mme. Marleau said today. "The trade environment has changed so radically over the years that it requires skills unheard of 20 years ago. The creation of this trust fund will help ensure that the least developed countries are better positioned to address the issue of poverty," she said. The contribution will be made through the Canadian International Development Agency. The funds will be used to help define training requirements and needs for policy reform, adapt legislation, and improve access to information related to trade and investment. Today's announcement follows up on the decisions made at last October's international meeting on technical assistance in trade-related areas. "Canada's contribution reflects our commitment to ensuring that all developing countries are able to reap the benefits of trade liberalization," Mr. Marchi said. "This support will enable African countries to benefit from trade and investment opportunities. It will also help them integrate more fully into the multilateral trading system," he said. The Common Trust Fund will support co-ordination between the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and the International Trade Centre, as well as donor governments and benefiting partner countries. It was established in early 1998 to provide trade-related technical assistance that will help developing countries participate effectively in the multilateral trading system and improve their export competitiveness. Funding for these initiatives was provided for in the February 1998 federal budget and is therefore built into the government's existing financial framework. - 30 - For further information, media representatives may contact: Leslie Swartman Office of the Minister for International Trade (613) 992-7332 André Doren Office of the Minister for International Co-operation and Minister responsible for la Francophonie (819) 997-6919 Media Relations Office Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (613) 995-1874 Media Relations Office Canadian International Development Agency (819) 953-6534 This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca Further WTO background materials are available at: http://www.wto.org </body> </html>

2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998 - 1997 - 1996

Print friendly version - Printing Tips



Last Updated: 2006-10-30	Top of Page	Important Notices