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<title>CANADA APPOINTS CHAIR OF THE AMERICAS BUSINESS FORUM</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">December 9, 1998 <em>(10:20 a.m. EST)</em> No. 289</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">CANADA APPOINTS CHAIR OF </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">THE AMERICAS BUSINESS FORUM</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi today announced the Government of Canada's appointment of C.
Kent Jespersen as Chair of the Americas Business Forum.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Mr. Jespersen is a prominent figure in both the North and South American business communities," said Mr.
Marchi. "His years of experience will be a great contribution to the Americas Business Forum and its work
toward achieving a Free Trade Area of the Americas." </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The purpose of the Americas Business Forum is to co-ordinate input from private sector representatives from all
countries involved in the Free Trade Areas of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations. This input is then fed into the
FTAA negotiation process. As chair of the first phase of the FTAA negotiations, Canada is charged with leading
the negotiating process until October, 1999.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canada is pleased to be chair of the FTAA negotiations. We consider this part of our commitment to achieving
more transparent and more open trade regimes in the hemisphere as well as part of our ongoing commitment to
Canadian exporters and investors," added the Minister.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">During the Summit of the Americas in Miami in December, 1994, leaders stated that the common goal was to
reach a single, comprehensive free trade agreement among 34 countries of the hemisphere by the year 2005.
The next FTAA ministerial meeting will take place in Toronto on November 1 and 2, 1999, following a meeting of
the Americas Business Forum on October 30 and 31, 1999. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mr. Jespersen is currently Chairman of La Jolla Resources International Ltd. of Calgary, Alberta. He gained
extensive business experience in the Americas during the twenty-two years he worked as a senior executive of
Nova Corporation. His practical experience, particularly leading Nova's major investments in natural gas </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">pipelines in Latin America, provides him with a broad knowledge of issues affecting the private sector and
relevant to the FTAA.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mr. Jespersen is also the first Canadian to chair the Board of the Institute of the Americas located in La Jolla,
California. The Institute is an organization devoted to promoting better relations between North America and
Latin America. Mr. Jespersen is also chairman of the C.D. Howe Institute. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">- 30 -</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">Kent Jespersen</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">La Jolla Resources International, Ltd.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(403) 262-4300</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: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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