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<title>PETTIGREW TO ATTEND INFORMAL WTO MEETING IN SINGAPORE</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>October 12, 2001 <em>(3:45 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 142</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>PETTIGREW TO ATTEND INFORMAL WTO MEETING IN SINGAPORE</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew will participate in an informal meeting of trade ministers this
weekend in Singapore aimed at building the broader consensus necessary to launch a new round of World
Trade Organization (WTO) talks next month.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">In Singapore, Mr. Pettigrew will advocate an ambitious and balanced WTO negotiating agenda that maximizes
opportunities for growth and sustainable development for all WTO members. He will also encourage improved
WTO transparency, and urge his colleagues to agree to formally release the draft Ministerial Declaration to the
public.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"More than ever, the global economy needs the stimulus a new round of multilateral negotiations would
provide," said Minister Pettigrew. "Canada supports improvements to the WTO system that address developing
countries' need for resolution of their concerns about current WTO obligations, enhanced trade-related
technical assistance and improved market access -- particularly for agricultural products."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Trade ministers from a broadly representative group of 20 developed and developing WTO members will
discuss the key differences remaining among them, focussing on the draft Ministerial Declaration.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Countries attending the Singapore meeting include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Egypt, the European
Union, Gabon, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, South Africa, South
Korea, Switzerland, Tanzania and the United States. </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
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<p><font face="Arial">Sébastien Théberge</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>
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