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<title>PETTIGREW LAUNCHES PERSONALIZED WEB SERVICE FOR CANADIAN EXPORTERS</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>November 5, 2002 <em>(2:15 p.m. EST)</em> No. 140</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>PETTIGREW LAUNCHES PERSONALIZED WEB SERVICE FOR CANADIAN EXPORTERS</strong></font></p>
<p>International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew today launched the Virtual Trade Commissioner--a unique, on-line service
for Canadian exporters who want foreign market information on contacts and business opportunities.</p>
<p>"I am proud to launch the Virtual Trade Commissioner, an exciting new tool that will help Canadian companies do business
in foreign markets," said Minister Pettigrew. "We have been working hard through trade negotiations to provide Canadian
companies with unfettered access to foreign markets. The Virtual Trade Commissioner will help them seize the
opportunities that these markets present."</p>
<p>Registrants will receive a personalized and password-protected Web page. Each Web page will provide on-line access to
market information, including market reports, business news, events and business leads related to the registered user's
industry sector and foreign markets of interest. Users can request services on-line from a trade commissioner responsible
for their industry sector in their target market. They will also automatically be sent new information of interest to them as it
becomes available. </p>
<p>Canadian exporters can register for a Virtual Trade Commissioner at: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220194959/http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/">www.infoexport.gc.ca</a> </p>
<p>To view a demo of the service, click on: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220194959/http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/registration/en/CCRegistrationBenefits.jsp">www.infoexport.gc.ca/registration/en/CCRegistrationBenefits.jsp</a></p>
<p>Part of the Government On-Line Initiative, the Virtual Trade Commissioner is offered by the Department of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade's Trade Commissioner Service, which has a team of over 500 trade professionals in 140 cities
worldwide.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Leanne Moussa</p>
<p>Office of the Minister for International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 992-7332</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220194959/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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