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<title>MINISTERS WELCOME AGREEMENT TO OPEN TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKETS</title>
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<p><font face="Courier New"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">February 5, 1998 No. 26</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">MINISTERS WELCOME AGREEMENT TO OPEN
TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKETS </font><font face="Courier New"></font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi and Industry Minister John Manley
today welcomed the implementation of the General Agreement on Trade in Services
(GATS) Agreement on Basic Telecommunications. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">The Agreement on Basic Telecommunications was negotiated in Geneva in February
1997 by member countries of the World Trade Organization. Canada and 71 other
countries have committed to liberalizing their markets for telecommunications
services.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">"Increased access to this $880-billion global telecommunications services market
will mean more opportunities for Canadian exporters and more jobs for Canadians,"
said Minister Marchi. "Canadian companies are in a superb position to profit from
this Agreement," he added.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">"The implementation of this Agreement marks an important step in the
liberalization of global telecommunications services," said Minister Manley. "The
Agreement on Basic Telecommunications opens the doors for Canada's
telecommunications industry to compete in this important sector."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">The telecommunications sector is vital to the Canadian economy, contributing some
$18 billion or 3.3 percent of the gross national product. The industry is also a
source of high-quality jobs, employing 145 000 people across Canada. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New"> - 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">Leslie Swartman</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">Jennifer Sloan</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">Office of the Minister of Industry </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">(613) 995-9001</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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