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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>2004/10 <u>CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY</u></strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>THE HONOURABLE GAR KNUTSON,</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>MINISTER OF STATE (NEW AND EMERGING MARKETS),</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>AT THE CENTRAL AMERICA CIRCUIT</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>LUNCHEON RECEPTION</strong></font></p>
<p><font size="+1"><strong>GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala</strong></font></p>
<p><font size="+1"><strong>March 1, 2004</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Let me begin by thanking Ambassador Lambert for hosting this reception and providing
an opportunity to meet with important members of the Guatemalan government and
business community.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">It is a great pleasure for me to be here in Guatemala during my first visit to Central
America. I am accompanied by the members of the single largest Canadian business
mission to ever visit this country and region.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">It is fitting that our delegation begins its visit to Central America in Guatemala, Canada's
largest trading partner in the region and a country with whom we've had a
long-standing, beneficial relationship.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The recent historic election victory of President Berger and his colleagues, along with
the current free trade negotiations between Canada and four Central American
countries, has stimulated a new awareness in Canada of the potential for greater
commercial ties with Guatemala.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This past December, Paul Martin was sworn is as Canada's new prime minister. He has
made it one of his foremost priorities to forge partnerships with other regions of the
world. He asked me, as part of my mandate as Minister of State for New and Emerging
Markets, to raise Canada's profile in expanding and dynamic markets such as
Guatemala.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This is why I am here today with over 20 Canadian business delegates from small,
medium and large companies eager to introduce their goods, services, capital, people
and knowledge to partners in Guatemala and throughout Central America. These
companies are active in the agricultural and food sector, environmental technologies,
engineering services, transportation services, educational services and the construction
materials sector.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">I would also like to acknowledge the presence of our mission partners, whose support is
greatly appreciated: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Industry Canada, Export
Development Canada, the Canadian Commercial Corporation and the Ministry of
Regional Economic Development of Quebec. I encourage you to speak with them to
see how they can help you.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The export of goods and services represents over 40 percent of Canada's gross
domestic product, a figure that is approximately four times higher than the figures for
the United States and Japan, making Canada the number one per capita exporter in the
G7.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">With trade in goods and services representing 80 percent of Canada's economic
output, we truly understand the value of trade.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">I am certain that our two-way trade, which currently amounts to approximately
$270 million, will increase significantly in the near future. This kind of bilateral, mutually
beneficial relationship is key to the success of our growing relationship.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">As a country that trades $2.5 billion a day in goods and services with the rest of the
world, Canada also understands the value of free trade. We remain committed to
successfully concluding the free trade agreement with the Central America Four and the
Free Trade Area of the Americas, with hemispheric partners like Guatemala. We
welcome the decision of the incoming administration to return to the negotiations with
renewed vigour.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">In addition to being a good partner, Canada is also a responsible partner. Promoting
corporate social responsibility is an important element of the Canadian government's
approach to promoting international trade and investment. Indeed, I understand that the
renowned Canadian expert on corporate responsibility, Dr. Wesley Cook of York
University, visited Guatemala to give a keynote speech at the University of the Isthmus
on this important topic.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">By operating and investing abroad in a socially responsible manner, Canadian
companies contribute positively to the communities in which they operate. Our embassy
is committed to working closely with Canadian companies investing in Guatemala, such
as in the mining sector, to ensure that they are fully aware of their social and
environmental obligations.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canada is also committed to continuing as a leading contributor of development
assistance to Guatemala and the region.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canada is working closely with Guatemala to support implementation of the Peace
Accords, and Canadian developmental assistance is being used to address areas such
as poverty reduction, rural development and sustainable agriculture, improved
education, health and good governance. Just as growing trade and investment will bring
our respective countries closer together, so too will a deepened political engagement on
important international issues.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Partnership through trade is what has brought us here today. I am confident Guatemala
is ready to meet the challenges and embrace the new opportunities that will come with
free trade. Canada wants to be your partner.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Many Canadian businesses are here today because they already recognize and
understand the mutually beneficial opportunities that currently exist; others will learn for
the first time the benefits of doing business in Guatemala.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Government of Canada understands the importance of fostering this relationship
and is committed to doing so. My trip to Guatemala and participation in the Central
America Circuit 2004 is an example of that commitment.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Canadians you see before you today are just the start. As our business relationship
develops, more and more companies will see the enormous opportunities that strong
ties with Guatemala and the rest of Central America represent.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">I encourage everyone here today, Canadians and Guatemalans, to enjoy themselves
and capture the spirit of commitment and entrepreneurship that has brought us
together.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Thank you.</font></p>
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