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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">March 31, 2006 <i>(9:00 p.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 33</span></span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">MINISTER EMERSON MEETS WITH INDONESIAN TRADE MINISTER</span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">International Trade Minister and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-
Whistler Olympics David L. Emerson today met with Indonesian Minister of Trade Mari
E. Pangestu to discuss several issues of mutual interest, including the expansion of
Canada’s commercial and economic ties with Indonesia.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canadian companies have significant interests in Indonesia, and I applaud the
Indonesian government’s efforts to promote and protect foreign investment,” said
Minister Emerson. “Indonesia presents Canadian exporters with increasing
opportunities, particularly in terms of Canadian wood products and building technology
as part of reconstruction efforts in Aceh.”</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">In addition to bilateral issues, the ministers exchanged views on Canada and
Indonesia’s priorities in APEC and on how APEC can contribute to a successful
conclusion to the WTO Doha Round. They also discussed ways in which Canada and
Indonesia could work together within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN). </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Indonesia, which is host to the ASEAN Secretariat, is an important trading partner for
Canada. Bilateral trade reached $1.64 billion in 2005; exports to Indonesia totalled
$688.7 million, while imports reached $955 million. Indonesia ranks third after Japan
and Singapore for Canadian direct investment in Asia, having received $3.55 billion in
2004.</span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- 30 -</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Jennifer Chiu<br>
Press Secretary<br>
Office of the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and
the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics<br>
(613) 992-7332</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Media Relations Office<br>
International Trade Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221013339/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></span></p>
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