March 13, 1998 No. 55

MINISTER MARCHI TO LEAD NEW EXPORTERS MISSION

TO CHICAGO AND PARTICIPATE IN FTAA DISCUSSIONS

IN COSTA RICA

International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi will lead a New Exporters to Border States (NEBS) mission to Chicago March

15 to 17, 1998, and will also join the hemisphere's trade ministers in San José, Costa Rica, for discussions on the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) on March 19.

Sixty Canadian companies will take part in National Manufacturing Week trade shows and in NEBS training sessions organized by the Canadian consulate in Chicago.

"NEBS missions are a superb learning opportunity for Canadian firms interested in exporting to the United States," said Mr. Marchi. "The companies on this mission demonstrate how Canada's manufacturing sector offers leading-edge technology at great value to the American market. I take great satisfaction in knowing that NEBS missions are helping them take the first steps toward export success."

The companies on this NEBS mission are small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises from Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba. In addition to the trade shows and export training sessions, these firms will participate in networking events with Chicago-based businesses.

In Chicago, Minister Marchi will also address the Mid-America Committee and the Midwest Forum, and meet with senior financial representatives to promote Canada-U.S. bilateral relations and investment in Canada. He will participate in the signing of six agreements designed to facilitate trade and build alliances between Canada and the United States.

In San José, Minister Marchi and his counterparts will review the progress of FTAA working groups and decide on advice to give their heads of government leading up to the Summit of the Americas in Santiago, Chile, in April.

"Canada is determined to continue to boost its trade and investment links with Latin America," said Mr. Marchi. "The deals signed during the recent Team Canada mission to the region demonstrate the enormous potential of this market."

At the Santiago Summit, Prime Minister Chrétien and the other leaders of the hemisphere plan to launch negotiations toward a Free Trade Area of the Americas, in keeping with the action plan of the December 1994 Miami Summit.

- 30 -

A backgrounder is attached.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Leslie Swartman

Office of the Minister for International Trade

(613) 992-7332

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Backgrounder

THE NEW EXPORTERS TO BORDER STATES PROGRAM

What NEBS Is

The New Exporters to Border States (NEBS) program is an export education tool that targets Canadian companies that are not yet exporting to the United States. NEBS introduces the essentials of exporting, including practical trade information, and provides first-hand exposure to markets in U.S. border states.

A recent expansion to the program, NEBS Plus, serves Canadian companies that are currently exporting to U.S. border states. NEBS Plus focusses on expanding the markets of successful exporters to other regions of the United States.

In this global economy, Canadian companies are encouraged to consider the border states as their first foreign market, indeed, as an initial entry to the many regional markets in the United States. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) provides vast trade opportunities, and the United States serves as an ideal springboard to emerging markets worldwide.

How the Program Works

NEBS missions vary depending on the destination and interest of the participants. Missions last from one to three days, and include:

Pre-mission briefing on export services and programs available from the federal and provincial governments;

Travel to a Canadian post in the United States;

Briefing on border procedures;

Presentations by U.S. manufacturers' representatives, sales agents, distributors or buyers;

Tours of relevant trade shows;

Visits to local wholesalers or retailers;

Briefings on local U.S. markets;

Meetings with Canadian Consulate trade officers and potential agents or distributors;

Distribution of export information guides and kits.

Program Costs

A non-refundable participation fee of US$75 applies to each company representative on the mission, payable by cheque to the Canadian Consulate hosting the mission.

The government may cover up to two nights hotel accommodation, and/or trade show entrance fees. Airfare, transportation, and personal expenses are the responsibility of the participant.

Who Qualifies

NEBS: Canadian companies incorporated and operating in Canada that have an interest in, but are not yet exporting to the United States on a regular basis, are eligible for NEBS programs.

NEBS Plus: Canadian companies with sales of less than $2.3 million, currently exporting to the United States, are eligible to participate in a NEBS Plus mission to other regions of the United States.

How Companies Can Apply

Companies interested in applying for the NEBS and NEBS Plus programs should contact their nearest International Trade Centre (ITC) listed on our Web site.

For more information please visit our Web site at:

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/english/GEO/USA/nebcal-e.htm

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/français/GEO/USA/nebcal-f.htm