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<title>MARC LALONDE TO CHAIR 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">July 16, 1999 <em>(12:30 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 160</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>MARC LALONDE TO CHAIR </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>THE AMERICAS BUSINESS FORUM</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi today announced the appointment of Marc Lalonde, a former
Canadian Finance Minister and a current international trade expert and lawyer, as Chair of the fifth Americas
Business Forum (ABF).</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Marc Lalonde is a prominent member of Canada's business and legal communities. He possesses in-depth
knowledge of the challenges that the private sector faces in our rapidly globalizing world," said Minister Marchi. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Business leaders from all parts of the Hemisphere will attend <em>ABF Canada</em> from November 1 to 3, 1999. The
Toronto event is the primary mechanism for private sector input to FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas)
negotiations at the ministerial level. </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 the 34 countries of the Hemisphere by the year
2005. Canada has chaired the first phase of the FTAA negotiation process. At the next FTAA ministerial
meeting, to take place in Toronto on November 3 and 4, 1999, immediately following the ABF, the chair will be
passed to Argentina.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Marc Lalonde is a partner and internationally acknowledged expert in dispute resolution at the law firm of
Stikeman, Elliott in Montreal. His practice focusses primarily on the areas of foreign investment, international
commercial arbitration, and legal and administrative reforms of economies in transition to a market economy.
He served in senior positions in the Canadian federal government, including as Minister of Finance, Minister of
Justice, Minister of Health and Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><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 Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade Department of Foreign Affairs and</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332 International Trade </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
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