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<title> MARCHI TO VISIT MIAMI TO ADVANCE FREE TRADE IN THE AMERICAS </title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">December 2, 1998 <em>(2:00 p.m. EST)</em> No. 278</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"> MARCHI TO VISIT MIAMI TO ADVANCE </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">FREE TRADE IN THE AMERICAS </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi will visit Miami, Florida, on December 9 and 10 to address the 22nd
Annual Miami Conference on the Caribbean and Latin America, and to meet with Florida business leaders to
promote trade and investment in Canada.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Minister Marchi will speak to the conference on the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). He will then meet
with Colombian Trade Minister Martha Lucia Ramirez and attend a luncheon with President Armando Calderón
Sol of El Salvador, President Carlos Flores of Honduras and Prime Minister P.J. Patterson of Jamaica. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"It is important for our continuing growth that the countries of the Americas press forward with the negotiations
toward a Free Trade Area of the Americas," said </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mr. Marchi, noting that Canada is chairing the FTAA talks through 1999. "The reduction of trade barriers
throughout the hemisphere will bolster all of our economies and strengthen our hemispheric community." </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Following the conference, the Minister will meet with influential Florida business leaders in both Miami and Fort
Lauderdale.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Florida's growing economy offers many export opportunities for Canadians and is an important gateway to
Latin America," said Mr. Marchi. "At the same time, I want Floridians to know that Canada is a superb place to
do business."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canada's bilateral trade with Florida already exceeds $5 billion, and an increasing number of Florida
entrepreneurs are partnering with Canadian companies. </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">A backgrounder on trade between Canada and Florida is attached.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Leslie Swartman</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">Backgrounder</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN CANADA AND FLORIDA</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canada and the state of Florida exchange over C$13 million worth of products every day of the year. In 1997,
Canada sold Florida C$2.66 billion worth of goods, sustaining an estimated 30 000 jobs in Canada. In turn,
Florida sold C$2.33 billion worth of goods to Canada.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Trade is Growing under Free Trade Agreements</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">Trade between Florida and Canada continues to grow steadily and significantly. In the years since the Free
Trade Agreement took effect, Canadian two-way merchandise trade with Florida has doubled, from about C$2.5
to C$5 billion in 1997, with merchandise exports rising slightly faster than imports. Even in the most recent one-year period from 1996 to 1997, two-way trade jumped 16.5 percent. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Notable Areas of Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial"> Canada's leading exports to Florida are forestry products. In 1997, Canada supplied Florida with $612 million
in forest products. Softwood lumber at $324 million and newsprint at $197 million alone represented 20 percent
of total Canadian merchandise exports.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Canada sold Florida $400 million in equipment and tools. This represents 15 percent of Canada's total exports
to Florida. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Transportation equipment comprised an additional 12 percent of Canadian exports to Florida, which were
valued at $313 million.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Other notable sectors for Canadian exports to Florida include: agricultural products valued at $277 million;
machinery valued at $177 million; personal and household goods valued at $143 million; and
telecommunications equipment and computers valued at $141 million.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Tourism</font><font face="Arial"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">In 1997, 2.1 million Canadians visited Florida for one night or more and spent $2 billion, while 312 000 residents
of Florida spent $180 million in Canada.</font></p>
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