NATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMOF CANADA'S HEADS OF MISSION IN ASIA ANNOUNCED
March 5, 1998 No. 45
NATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
OF CANADA'S HEADS OF MISSION IN ASIA ANNOUNCED
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, International Trade Minister Sergio
Marchi, and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan today announced that
25 Heads of Mission in Asia will return to Canada for a series of meetings, and
to conduct a public outreach program in cities across Canada from March 8 to 17,
1998.
Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consuls General from Asia will participate in
events involving a cross-section of Canadian business, non-governmental and
academic groups, as well as provincial government representatives. The goal of
the outreach program is to share information about the new realities in Asia.
"Developments in Asia touch the lives of Canadians more today than ever before,"
said Mr. Axworthy. "Our Heads of Mission in Asia are well positioned to gather
and assess information about the region and the opportunities that exist there.
This outreach effort gives Canadians a chance to tell the Department of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade how they perceive our policies, and how we can
improve our services, thereby giving new meaning to the government's commitment
to consult Canadians."
The Canadian diplomats will begin with a series of activities in Vancouver, then
will travel to Toronto (March 10 to 11), Montréal
(March 11 to 12), and will hold meetings in Ottawa (March 12 to 15). Teams will
then proceed to Calgary, Winnipeg, Halifax and Québec City for separate programs
on March 16. Meetings have also been arranged in Victoria, Edmonton, Regina and
Sherbrooke. Video-conferencing will be used for selected outreach purposes.
"This domestic Team Canada initiative demonstrates that the federal government
remains committed to promoting trade opportunities in
Asia-Pacific," said Mr. Marchi. "Heads of Mission in Asia will speak to Canadian
firms about the current business climate and potential markets, and will share
information about federal government initiatives that facilitate doing business
with this region."
A series of business breakfasts on risk management in Asia has been organized for
Vancouver, Toronto and Montréal by EDC (Export Development Corporation). The
local Chamber of Commerce will also host a similar event in Winnipeg. Local
Boards of Trade or Chambers of Commerce will host "Night of the Ambassadors"
events in Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal, Calgary and Ottawa, giving companies
direct access to the Canadian diplomats to discuss opportunities and strategies
in their countries of accreditation.
"Profound changes are under way in Asia today, which are having a growing impact
on Canada's economic, social and environmental future," said Mr. Chan. This
timely initiative enables us to work closely with our partners to ensure that
Canada maintains an effective presence in Asia. I am pleased to launch this
cross-country initiative in Vancouver tomorrow, and I look forward to a full
agenda of activities over the coming days."
This program has been organized through partnerships among various federal
government departments including the Canadian International Development Agency
(CIDA), EDC and International Trade Centres located in each region. As well,
numerous local organizations are providing sponsorship and resource support.
Funding for this initiative has been provided for in the February 1998 budget and
is therefore built into the existing financial framework.
- 30 -
A list of participating Heads of Mission in Asia is attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Leslie Swartman
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Hilary Humphrey
Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
(613) 995-1852
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Heads of Mission Meeting and Outreach Program Participants
North Asia
Ambassador Howard Balloch
Beijing, People's Republic of
China
(Vancouver program only)
Minister Guy Saint-Jacques
Beijing, People's Republic of
China
(Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa,
Québec City, Regina)
Consul General Edward Lipman
Shanghai, People's Republic of
China
Consul Mary Boyd
Chongqing, People's Republic
of China (currently in
Guangzhou, People's Republic
of China)
Consul General Paul Lau
Guangzhou, People's Republic
of China (currently in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia)
Consul General Colin Russel
Hong Kong, People's Republic
of China
Acting Director Stewart Beck
Taipei, Taiwan
Ambassador Len Edwards
Tokyo, Japan
Consul General Peter Campbell
Osaka, Japan
Ambassador Michel Perrault
Seoul, Korea
Southeast Asia
Ambassador Gordon Longmuir
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
High Commissioner Gardiner J.
Wilson
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Ambassador Marius Grinius
Hanoi, Vietnam
Ambassador Gary J. Smith
Jakarta, Indonesia
High Commissioner André Simard
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Ambassador John Treleaven
Manila, Philippines
High Commissioner Barry Carin
Singapore
Ambassador Bernard Giroux
Bangkok, Thailand
Consul General Sarah Hradecky
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
South Asia
High Commissioner Peter Walker
New Delhi, India
High Commissioner Marie-Andrée
Beauchemin
Islamabad, Pakistan
High Commissioner Konrad
Sigurdson
Colombo, Sri Lanka
High Commissioner Nicholas
Etheridge
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Oceania
High Commissioner Valérie
Raymond
Wellington, New Zealand
High Commissioner Brian
Schumacher
Canberra, Australia
Consul General Alan Virtue
Sydney, Australia