January 16, 2007 (8:00 a.m. EST)
No. 8

MINISTER EMERSON SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR COOPERATION ON GATEWAYS AND CORRIDORS WITH CHINA

The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, and Li Shenglin, China’s Minister of Communications, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will open the door to cooperation on trade gateways and corridors between Canada and China.

“This agreement is a clear signal that Canada has a lot to offer as a gateway between Asia and North America,” said Minister Emerson. “We will work closely with the Chinese on the development of our gateways and exchange expertise to strengthen our own respective approaches. This cooperation will contribute to Canada’s competitiveness as a gateway of choice between Asia and North America.”

The Memorandum is an amendment to an existing agreement between Canada and China for cooperation in Highway and Waterway Transportation. The Memorandum was updated to include a focus on development of intermodal transportation gateways to support international trade. The agreement indicates a number of potential areas in which the two governments could pursue cooperation on gateways, including research, technical exchanges and gateway development planning.

Minister Emerson is in China from January 14 to January 19. He is accompanied by James Moore, Parliamentary Secretary for the Pacific-Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, and a delegation of business leaders from the transportation and logistical services sector. As part of the gateway component of this trip, Minister Emerson and Mr. Moore are hosting roundtable discussions in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai between Chinese stakeholders and the Canadian business delegation. Feedback from these roundtables will be invaluable as the government delivers on its commitment to further develop the Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor.

Minister Emerson signed the amended Memorandum on behalf of Canada’s Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon.

The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, announced by Prime Minister Harper on October 11, 2006, is an integrated set of investment and policy measures to strengthen Canada’s competitive position in international commerce. The Initiative delivers significant new public investment—$591 million overall for a variety of infrastructure, transportation technology and border security projects.

For more information on the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative please visit http://www.tc.gc.ca/majorissues/APGCI/menu.htm.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Media Relations Office
Transport Canada
613-993-0055

Zhang Chaofeng
Canadian Embassy in Beijing
86-10-6532-3536, ext. 3267
chaofeng.zhang@international.gc.ca