January 22, 1998 No. 18

INTERNATIONAL TRADE MINISTER MARCHI OPENS

CANADIAN EDUCATION CENTRES

IN ARGENTINA AND CHILE

International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi inaugurated a Canadian Education Centre (CEC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on January 20, and another in Santiago, Chile, earlier today. There are now four such Centres that Canada has opened in Latin America since the start of the Team Canada mission, making a total of 14 worldwide.

"Interest in the education sector on this Team Canada mission is unprecedented," said Minister Marchi. "There are 52 education and training service providers on this mission -- a clear indication of the growing interest in developing long-term partnerships in the region."

The opening of the two CECs follows the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) on Education Co-operation with Argentina and Chile.

The CECs will provide a full range of services to Canadian public and private educational institutions, including marketing their programs and securing corporate and group training contracts.

The CEC Network is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada, with Centres in South Korea, Taiwan,

Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Singapore, Australia, China, Mexico, and Brazil.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Leslie Swartman

Office of the Minister for International Trade

(613) 992-7332

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca