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<p><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">November 15, 2006 <i>(3:00 p.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 135</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">CANADA TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK’S
COOPERATION FUND FOR REGIONAL TRADE AND FINANCIAL
SECURITY INITIATIVE</span></span></p>
<br>
<p>The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, today announced that Canada will contribute $500,000
to the Asian Development Bank’s Cooperation Fund for Regional Trade and Financial
Security Initiative (FRTFSI). The Minister made the announcement while participating in
the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting in Hanoi,
Vietnam.</p>
<br>
<p>“Security is a priority for Canada at the 2006 APEC Summit, and this initiative
complements the work that Canada has undertaken with our APEC partners to
strengthen counterterrorism capacity and to secure trade in the Asia-Pacific region,”
Minister MacKay said. “We are pleased to join other donors and believe that the
projects supported by this fund illustrate the results-focused approach that Canada is
promoting within APEC.”</p>
<br>
<p>The Asian Development Bank’s Cooperation Fund for Regional Trade and Financial
Security Initiative was established by APEC leaders in 2003 to help developing
economies strengthen their counterterrorism capacities and to enhance secure trade in
keeping with the Secure Trade in the APEC Region (STAR) initiative. Other donors to
the Fund include Australia, Chinese Taipei, Japan, New Zealand and the United States.</p>
<br>
<p>Canada’s contribution, as per the agreement now being finalized with the Asian
Development Bank, will support the Bank in developing projects that will enhance port
security (including security at airports and at sea cargo/container ports), modernize
customs procedures, and help combat money laundering and terrorist financing in
developing member economies, which are all at risk. In allocating the resources of the
Fund, priority is given to high-impact projects that stimulate investment and policy
reforms in these areas.</p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center">- 30 -</p>
<br>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<p>Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada<br>
613-995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221074424/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
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