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<title>PETTIGREW RELEASES PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS REPORT ON MARKET ACCESS FOR LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES</title>
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<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>June 13, 2002 <em>(2:35 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 68</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>PETTIGREW RELEASES PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS REPORT ON MARKET ACCESS FOR
LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew today released a public consultations report on Canadian
proposals to eliminate import duties and quotas for 48 of the world's least developed countries (LDCs).</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canada views increased trade as one of the vital elements of development for the world's poorest nations,"
said Minister Pettigrew. "These consultations have been a useful tool to examine the impact these measures
would have on Canadians, and on the least developed countries themselves." </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">From March 30 until May 2, 2002, the Government of Canada sought the views of the provinces and key
industry sectors, non-governmental organizations, and interested citizens on the proposals, including any
economic or social impact the proposed action might have. A majority of the submissions support the proposal,
adding that the initiative would complement Canada's development assistance efforts and provide benefits to
LDCs while having limited impact on Canadian industries. Certain submissions also recommended providing
assistance to any Canadians adversely affected by the proposal.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">More than 600 million people live in the world's least developed countries--one tenth of humanity. Imports from
these countries account for one tenth of one percent of the total imports to Canada, an average of $300 million
a year over the past decade. Approximately half of the products imported from least developed countries
already enter Canada duty-free.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The full report can be found on the Consultations with Canadians section of the Department of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade's Web site at</font></p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221022935/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/Consult1-e.asp#ldc"><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/Consult1-e.asp#ldc</a></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Sébastien Théberge</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221022935/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/"><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></font></p>
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