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<title>MR. PETTIGREW - ADDRESS TO THE P.E.I. EXPORT AWARDS LUNCHEON - CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.</title>
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<p><font size="+1"><strong><u>CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY</u></strong></font><font size="+1"></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 PIERRE PETTIGREW,</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE,</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>AT THE P.E.I. EXPORT AWARDS LUNCHEON</strong></font></p>
<p><font size="+1"><strong>CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island</strong></font></p>
<p><font size="+1"><strong>April 17, 2003</strong></font></p>
<p>I want to begin by thanking the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters [CME] in P.E.I. for inviting me to today's celebration
of P.E.I.'s export capabilities, and for giving me this opportunity to say a few words to you about international business.</p>
<p>Three years ago, I promised to use the days when the House of Commons was not sitting to travel to the various regions of
the country to promote the benefits and opportunities of international trade and to talk about my mission as Minister. Since
that time, I have gone to cities from coast to coast to encourage companies to export and to explain the advantages of trade,
not only for business, but for all Canadians.</p>
<p>So, what is my mission? As International Trade Minister, I regard my mission as international business development.
Obviously, Canadian business people like you understand and share this mission and are already out there selling Canadian-made goods and services around the world. Some of you may be seeking foreign investment, including venture capital. And
most of you are enjoying considerable success.</p>
<p><strong>Importance of Trade to Canada</strong></p>
<p>Exports now account for over 40 percent of our GDP--up from just 25 percent in 1990. This means that, as a percentage of
GDP, we export about four times as much as the United States and Japan. In fact, we are by far the most export-oriented
country in the G7.</p>
<p>Canada used to be mainly an exporter of raw materials, of natural resources. Now, however, more than two thirds of our
merchandise exports are in non-resource categories such as machinery and equipment and other high value-added products.
As we become a knowledge-based economy, we are increasingly exporting technologies and services and attracting jobs
and technology-rich foreign investment.</p>
<p>Canada excels in providing sophisticated services such as telecommunications, engineering and financial services for
modern business. Canadian firms are now global leaders in telecommunications, aerospace, computer software,
biotechnology, environmental technology and many other sectors of the new economy.</p>
<p>P.E.I. exports $690 million worth of goods and services abroad. That's around 20 percent of your GDP. I have just visited
Slemon Park, where I had the occasion to see first-hand the innovation that P.E.I. can offer. I visited Atlantic Turbines, a
company that is exporting over 90 percent of its engine maintenance services abroad. I also saw an investment success story
in Testori, an Italian company that invested millions in P.E.I., creating wealth. These days, it is not easy to be in the
aerospace business, but I am certain that they will be able to stay at the top of their industry.</p>
<p>I just heard about a successful trade mission to the Carribean islands from our High Commission in Barbados. Prince
Edward Island Business Development organized a trade mission to match P.E.I. firms to local buyers or partners, and to
learn more about the local market and what opportunities may exist for a return trade mission. The mission consisted of five
P.E.I. companies: J. Perry Inc., Coles Door Systems, Medallion Smoked Salmon, the PEI Seafood Processors Association,
and two affiliates of Holland College: the Culinary Institute of Canada and the Atlantic Tourism and Hospitality Institute. A
professional chef from the Culinary Institute of Canada accompanied the mission to prepare P.E.I. seafood at a networking
event hosted at the official residence of the Canadian High Commissioner, Sandelle Scrimshaw.</p>
<p>The High Commission asked me to congratulate and thank Prince Edward Island Business Development. They have proven
to be the best partner the post has ever had in organizing a mission.</p>
<p>Today we are celebrating P.E.I.'s export successes. I am learning a lot about these award winners that come from various
fields, not only traditional Canadian or P.E.I. industries. All these firms, and many others like them, are building their
businesses and creating jobs both in Charlottetown and in other regions of P.E.I.</p>
<p>The way I see it, there are two very important and constructive ways in which government can play a role in helping you
capitalize confidently on the stabilization of markets. The first is through trade policy--in other words, working with other
countries to build and preserve a rules-based system that facilitates international market access. The second is through trade
promotion. Today I will speak about trade promotion and about how the Canadian government can help you diversify into
new markets.</p>
<p><strong>The Government of Canada Comes in to Assist</strong></p>
<p>Your everyday goal is to build your business, and I assume that, since you are here, you recognize that one sure way to do
this is to increase your exports. You are looking for opportunities. The government can help you both identify and pursue
those opportunities. I encourage you to take advantage of a key support network that is available to you. That support
network is the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service.</p>
<p>The Trade Commissioner Service is prepared to help you succeed. Right now, we have more than 500 trade professionals
working for you in 140 cities worldwide. These are people working on the ground, in your sectors, in your target markets.
These are professionals with expertise and a proven track record. The Trade Commissioner Service has helped thousands of
Canadian companies to succeed abroad and they can help you, too!</p>
<p>Seven trade officers from some of Canada's largest trading partners are here today from Atlanta, Bogotá, Boston, New
York, Port of Spain, Rio de Janeiro and Washington. Some of you have already met them at this morning's seminar, which
our colleagues at Trade Team P.E.I. helped set up with the CME-P.E.I. You will have heard about the six core services that
they deliver, free of charge.</p>
<p>This is an exceptional and dedicated group of professionals who pull out all the stops to help Canadian business succeed
abroad, often in very difficult situations. Essentially, trade commissioners are knowledge brokers and relationship builders.
They can offer you market intelligence, key contact networks, business leads and advice. This service enjoys a high degree
of satisfaction amongst its clients. The Trade Commissioner Service's clients report that the service saves them time and
money and helps them make better business decisions, giving them more of a competitive edge.</p>
<p>As a complement to this service, I launched a few months ago one of the most innovative tools we have developed. We call
it the Virtual Trade Commissioner. The Virtual Trade Commissioner is a personalized Web page that includes names and
direct links to the trade commissioners responsible for particular sectors and for specific markets abroad. The Virtual Trade
Commissioner pulls all relevant information to the client's page--market reports, trade events, business leads--essentially
all the pertinent information that matches the client's international business interests.</p>
<p>The Government of Canada offers many more services to exporters, including market intelligence, information on financing
facilities, trade fairs and exhibitions, and export rules and regulations. Some of you are familiar with Team Canada Inc, a
virtual network relying on the cooperation of 23 federal departments and agencies, working to help Canadian businesses
succeed in world markets. This single window for Canadian business vastly simplifies access to everything from training
and financing programs for new exporters to on-the-ground support in foreign markets for more experienced Canadian
businesses.</p>
<p>To demonstrate how committed we are to defending and promoting Canada's interests with our largest trading partner, the
most recent budget committed $11 million in new funding over the next two years to bolster Canada's ability to actively
engage at local and regional levels across the United States. We will do this through the establishment of additional
regional offices and an increased consular presence in strategic locations such as the U.S. southwest. This will include the
creation of new satellite offices that will focus on specific sectors or issues and stronger, targeted trade and economic
advocacy initiatives. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is working on this initiative in partnership
with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Industry Canada and is providing additional resources.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>
<p>To conclude, I just want to reiterate that progressive and forward-looking trade development programs and policies are key
to maintaining and enhancing Canada's current prosperity. We all benefit from having clear and enforceable international
trade rules, which help us facilitate more global business for you. This is good for Canada, for P.E.I. and for Charlottetown.</p>
<p>I will continue to work hard to ensure that when you seek out international markets, you will find doors that are open,
policies that are fair, and playing fields that are level. And I will continue to resist those voices that would limit our
horizons by limiting freer trade.</p>
<p>Keeping Canada competitive in an ever-changing international marketplace is a responsibility for all of us. When we
succeed, we reap great benefits: more and better-paying jobs, financial stability, greater productivity, economic strength, a
diversified economy and technological progress. A legacy for our children.</p>
<p>Canada's growth has come from exports. I encourage you to look at exporting if you aren't already doing so, or at
diversifying your markets if you are. When you look at a new market, call on our Team Canada Inc network to help you
plan your market entry strategy, and talk to our trade commissioners. Have a look at the Trade Commissioner Service Web
site (<a href="www.infoexport.gc.ca,">http://www.infoexport.gc.ca</a>) and register for the Virtual Trade Commissioner. I wish you the best as you go forward,
and I hope to see you among the list of Canada Export winners someday soon.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
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