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<title> EASTERN TOWNSHIPS CONTRIBUTE TO CANADIAN EXPORT GROWTH, SAYS MINISTER PETTIGREW</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>April 26, 2000 <em>(1:15 p.m. EDT)</em></strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"> </font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong> EASTERN TOWNSHIPS CONTRIBUTE TO </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>CANADIAN EXPORT GROWTH</strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>, SAYS MINISTER PETTIGREW</strong></font><font face="Arial"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Pierre S. Pettigrew today told exporters in Quebec's
Eastern Townships that their region is a key contributor to Canada's export efforts and
image abroad, helping in turn to boost employment and the local economy.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Minister Pettigrew made his address in Sherbrooke as part of a cross-Canada tour to
promote the importance of international trade to Canada's economic future. After visiting
Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver, he will be visiting Mississauga and
Toronto tomorrow. In May he will conclude his tour with a visit to St. John's and
Quebec City.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"This year Canadian exports should increase by almost 10 percent over last year,
representing almost half our economic output," said the Minister. "With their innovative
and inventive exporters and strategic geographic position, Sherbrooke and the Eastern
Townships will help lead the way."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mr. Pettigrew emphasized that the Department of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade and its over 500 trade commissioners in 130 missions abroad can help Eastern
Township exporters plug into export opportunities, providing market intelligence, local
contacts, and services with local businesspeople, especially for small and medium-sized
businesses.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Minister Pettigrew is accompanied in Sherbrooke by trade commissioners visiting from
Canadian embassies in London, Paris, Berlin, Rome and Madrid to take part in an
exporters seminar focussing on Western Europe, co-organized by Canada Economic
Development and local business groups including Estrie International.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">In 1999, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Western Europe totalled $53
billion, an increase of $3 billion over 1998. Six of Canada's 10 most important export
markets are located in Europe. The Canada Economic Development Agency, a member
of Team Canada Inc, is active in Quebec through 13 regional offices which provide
support for entrepreneurship, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canadian businesses, particularly in Quebec, are world leaders in such sectors as
telecommunications, aerospace, software, environmental technology and several other
sectors in the new economy," said Mr. Pettigrew. "These companies, especially in the
Eastern Townships, have shown a remarkable dynamism in </font><font face="Arial">exploring and capitalizing
upon</font><font face="Arial"> access to world markets, including Europe."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Minister Pettigrew also invited Eastern Township businesses to take part in several
trade missions he will be leading in the coming year. These include: Australia (May 29
to June 2); Russia (June 28 to 30); the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and
Slovenia (September 11 to 15); Algeria, Morocco and Spain (October 10 to 20); and the
Middle East.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For more information on the Trade Commissioner Service, please visit the InfoExport
Web site at: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221052848/http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/">http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/</a>.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Sylvie Bussières</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>
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