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<title>CANADA TO BEGIN CONSULTATIONS ON FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY</title>
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<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>December 19, 2001 <em>(1:10 p.m. EST)</em> No. 168</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>CANADA TO BEGIN CONSULTATIONS ON FREE TRADE AGREEMENT </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>WITH CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced that the Government of Canada will begin public
consultations to obtain the views of Canadians on a proposed free trade agreement with the Caribbean
Community and Common Market (CARICOM).</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"International trade has been one of the main engines of the Canadian economy for many years, with trade
agreements being a key instrument to achieving growth. In preparing for these latest negotiations, it is
important that we consult closely with Canadians to develop our strategy," said Minister Pettigrew.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">These consultations are the latest step in the agreement between Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and the leaders
of the CARICOM countries to pursue free trade negotiations, following their Summit in Montego Bay in
January 2001.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Government of Canada will seek input from the Canadian public, businesses and citizen-based
organizations, as well as the provinces and territories, during the initial consultation phase. Canadian and
CARICOM officials are scheduled to meet early in 2002.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">An environmental assessment will be conducted to help trade negotiators identify and evaluate any
environmental impacts on Canada.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and CARICOM reached $867 million in 2000. Canadian
investment in the region, centred in the financial, mining and energy sectors, has reached $25 billion, making it
our third most important investment destination after the United States and the United Kingdom. Moreover,
$200 million in consulting and engineering contracts in the Caribbean are won by Canadian firms annually. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Free trade negotiations with CARICOM signal Canada's continued engagement in the region, and will provide
momentum to the Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations," added Mr. Pettigrew.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Country members of CARICOM include: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas (not a member of the Common
Market), Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent
and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Montserrat is a member, but remains a dependency
of the U.K. Haiti is not yet a member.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">More information on the Government of Canada's consultation process with Canadians on the proposed free
trade agreement with CARICOM can be found at</font></p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123075139/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/consult1-e.asp#caricom"><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/consult1-e.asp#caricom</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">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>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123075139/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/"><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></font></p>
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