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<title>INTERNATIONAL TRADE MINISTER MARCHI WELCOMES CANADA'S ACTION PLAN FOR JAPAN</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">January 30, 1998 No. 24</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">INTERNATIONAL TRADE MINISTER MARCHI WELCOMES
CANADA'S ACTION PLAN FOR JAPAN</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">International Trade Minister Marchi today announced the release of Canada's sixth
Action Plan for developing trade and economic relations with Japan. The 1998
Action Plan will guide both the government and the private sector on specific
areas where the opportunities for Canadian companies to market their products in
Japan are greatest.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada's exports to Japan grew by over 5 percent in 1997. In spite of the recent
financial turbulence in Asia, Japan continues to offer enormous potential for
Canadian companies with competitive products," said Minister Marchi. "The Action
Plan contains a wealth of information enabling Canadian exporters to benefit from
business opportunities in Japan." </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada's 1998 Action Plan for Japan identifies specific market opportunities and
market entry approaches for seven priority sectors: agri-food and fisheries
products; building products; information technologies; health care and medical
devices; and consumer products including furniture, sporting goods, giftware, and
tourism. The Plan also provides a list of contacts for Canadian businesses
interested in the Japanese market.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada's four trade offices in Japan, working closely with other Canadian
partners and exporters, will use the new Action Plan to assist Canadian companies
in the coming months. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Bilateral trade between Canada and Japan now amounts to </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">$22 billion, with exports and imports roughly in balance. Japan is the second
largest export destination for Canadian goods and the third largest source of
foreign direct investment in Canada.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Copies of the Action Plan are available from the InfoTech of the Department of
Foreign Affairs and International Trade at</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">1-800-267-8376 and (613) 944-4000. The Plan is also available on the following
Internet site: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/ni-ka</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">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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