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<title>MARCHI LAUNCHES INTERNET SITE DEDICATED TO CANADIAN BUSINESSWOMEN</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">June 8, 1998 No. 150</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">MARCHI LAUNCHES INTERNET SITE DEDICATED TO CANADIAN
BUSINESSWOMEN</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi today introduced "Businesswomen in
Trade," the first Internet Web site created especially for Canadian women
exporters. Through the interactive technology of the Internet, Canadian
businesswomen now have a new practical way to do business at home and abroad.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Our government is committed to helping Canadian businesswomen to prepare for and
succeed in the export market," said Mr. Marchi. This new Web site offers a
unique way to link women entrepreneurs with each other and with the world in
order to promote their business interests."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The new site is dedicated to the needs of Canadian businesswomen and offers easy
electronic access to a broad range of business information in Canada and around
the world. It can also be used by officials to gather data to facilitate policy
and program planning. Development of the Internet site is part of an overall
strategy initiated last fall by Minister Marchi to encourage and support more
Canadian businesswomen exporters.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Companies led by women are becoming a new force in the Canadian economy," said
Mr Marchi, "but they are under represented in the export market. With this new
Web site, we have created a focal point on the Internet for the exchange of
useful information that will promote the interests of Canadian businesswomen in
the international marketplace." </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Of the more than 700 000 firms created in Canada between 1990 and 1995, 30 per
cent are led by women. These enterprises provide employment for 1.7 million
Canadians and create new jobs at a rate four times the national average.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Beginning tomorrow, departmental officials will commence a national tour to
encourage increased participation by Canadian businesswomen in export marketing,
including using the Web site as a shared information resource.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The URL is: http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/businesswomen/menu-e.asp</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> - 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">A backgrounder is attached.</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>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+1">Backgrounder</font><font face="Courier"></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+1">BUSINESSWOMEN IN TRADE WEB SITE</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Courier">The new Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
"Businesswomen in Trade" Web site provides a unique focal point on the Internet
for Canadian businesswomen. The site was created to support businesswomen with
information relevant to exporting and export activities. It provides an Internet
entry point to a wealth of information on how to prepare for and to succeed in
the export marketplace, including direct links to other useful Internet resources
and sources of information of interest to Canadian businesswomen.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Some of the features provided by the Web site include:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> exporter preparation and know-how, with direct links to many government
information services;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> an on-line diagnostic to test business owners' export readiness;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> success stories of women exporters;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> on-line registration to the WIN database allowing companies to be available for
exporting opportunities that arrive at Canadian Embassies and Consulates abroad;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> Web site links to 30 sites in Canada and abroad focussing primarily on business
services;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> news and press releases with emphasis on women in trade, current missions and
international trade summits;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> calendar of relevant events;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> businesswomen's surveys and studies;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> on-line registration for database collection of businesswomen interested in
being linked to other businesswomen in their field; and</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> an on-line quiz about Canadian women who have achieved firsts.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The new Web site is part of DFAIT's overall InfoExport presence on the Internet.
It provides a unique, user-friendly tool specifically designed for Canadian
businesswomen.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Internet Web site address is: </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/businesswomen/menu-e.asp</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> </font></p>
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