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<title>CANADA TO HOLD PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ON PROPOSEDFREE TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH ANDEAN COUNTRIES AND DOMINICAN REPUBLIC</title>
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<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>November 4, 2002 <em>(2:45 p.m. EST)</em> No. 139</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>CANADA TO HOLD PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ON PROPOSED</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH ANDEAN COUNTRIES AND DOMINICAN REPUBLIC</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced that the Government of Canada will hold broad
and comprehensive consultations concerning two proposed free trade deals, one with the Andean community
(Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela) and one with the Dominican Republic. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Negotiating an agreement with the five Andean countries will strengthen our economic relations and foster
socio-economic development in South America," said Minister Pettigrew. "It will also provide momentum to the
Free Trade Area of the Americas process.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"A free trade deal with the Dominican Republic, an important destination for tourism, investment and services,
will advance Canada's foreign policy interests in the Caribbean. In particular, it will help to strengthen peace
and democracy, promote economic stability and growth, and alleviate poverty," added the Minister.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The government will seek the views of stakeholders, such as the provinces and territories, key industry sectors,
non-governmental organizations and interested citizens, on the proposals, including any economic or social
impact the proposed action might have. A <em>Canada Gazette</em> notice seeking public submissions on both proposed
free trade deals was issued on Saturday, November 2. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Andean countries are important commercial partners for Canada; bilateral trade in 2001 reached
$3.6 billion, with Canadian exports totalling $1.5 billion. Cumulative Canadian investment in the Andean
countries is estimated at $11 billion. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and the Dominican Republic is increasing, and amounted to
nearly $200 million in 2001. Canadian investment in that country is over $290 million, principally in mining,
banking, communications and tourism.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For more information on these consultations please visit the following Web sites: </font></p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071122055716/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/Consult1-e.asp#andean"><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/Consult1-e.asp#andean</a></font></p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071122055716/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/consult1-e.asp#dominican"><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/consult1-e.asp#dominican</a></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Leanne Moussa</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071122055716/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/"><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></font></p>
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