April 26, 2000 (1:15 p.m. EDT)

EASTERN TOWNSHIPS CONTRIBUTE TO

CANADIAN EXPORT GROWTH, SAYS MINISTER PETTIGREW

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.

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.

"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."

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.

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.

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.

"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 exploring and capitalizing upon access to world markets, including Europe."

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.

For more information on the Trade Commissioner Service, please visit the InfoExport Web site at: http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/.

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Sylvie Bussières

Office of the Minister for International Trade

(613) 992-7332

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874