August 28, 1997 No. 135

CHAN TO LEAD TRADE MISSION TO

SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA

The Honourable Raymond Chan, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific), will lead a trade mission to Singapore and the Malaysian state and federal capitals of Kuching and Kuala Lumpur from August 31 to September 6, 1997. Mr. Chan will be accompanied by a business delegation representing more than 20 Canadian companies.

"This visit will seek out opportunities and promote Canadian business involvement in Singapore and Malaysia," said Mr. Chan. "It will help us develop relations with key regional business and political leaders, laying the foundation for greater trade in Southeast Asia."

In Singapore, Mr. Chan is scheduled to meet with the Minister for Trade and Industry, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Secretary of State for Communications, as well as the Canadian business community and select Singapore business people.

In Malaysia, Mr. Chan is scheduled to meet with the Chief Minister of the State of Sarawak, as well as the Ministers of Transport, of International Trade and Industry, and of Science, Technology and Environment. He will also meet with senior officials, business communities and Canadian alumni in Kuching. While in Kuching, Mr. Chan will officially open an honorary Canadian Consulate that will enhance business linkages with the rapidly growing state of Sarawak. He will also open a Canada Education Information Station.

"There are over 10 000 Singaporeans and 70 000 Malaysians who are graduates of Canadian universities," said Mr. Chan. "We are building on these strong people-to-people ties during 1997, Canada's Year of Asia Pacific, and forging even stronger business and cultural links between our countries. We also look forward to welcoming many delegations from Southeast Asia when Canada hosts APEC SME [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise] Week in Ottawa, September 17-18."

In addition to promoting Canadian business, Mr. Chan will discuss political, trade and economic matters, as well as good governance and the rule of law during his visits. He will also encourage leaders to come to Ottawa from December 2 to 4 to sign a legally binding international treaty banning anti-personnel mines.

Key emerging sectors within the Singapore and Malaysian markets include telecommunications, multimedia, environment, power, healthcare, advanced technology, education, agri-food, aerospace, petroleum and construction. In 1996 two-way trade with Singapore was valued at approximately $1.76 billion, while two-way trade with Malaysia reached about $2.1 billion.

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A list of the business delegation accompanying Mr. Chan is attached.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Hilary Humphrey

Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)

(613) 995-1852

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Visit to Singapore and Malaysia of the Honourable Raymond Chan

Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) August 31 - September 6, 1997

Business Delegation

Newbridge Networks Corporation, Kanata, Ontario

Bank of Montreal, Toronto, Ontario

Sager Industries, Mississauga, Ontario

Agrium, Edmonton, Alberta

Technopar Equipment and Service LTD., Tecumseh, Ontario

Wildfire Fire Equipment Inc., Lachine, Quebec

MacDonald Dettwiler, Richmond, British Columbia

Reid Crowther & Partners Ltd., Calgary, Alberta

Harris Farinon Canada, Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Winnport Logistics Ltd., Winnipeg, Manitoba

CWH Enterprises Inc., Burnaby, British Columbia

Interlink Group, Vancouver, British Columbia

Bombardier Inc., Kingston, Ontario

Tushar & Jahan Canada Inc., Ottawa, Ontario

London Life International, London, Ontario

Agra Monenco Inc., Oakville, Ontario

SNC-Lavalin Inc., Montreal, Quebec

Nova Gas International Ltd., Calgary, Alberta

Bank of Nova Scotia, Toronto, Ontario

University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia

Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario