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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>April 23, 2004 <em>(11:00 a.m. EDT)</em> No. 61</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>RELEASE OF ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL MARKET ACCESS REPORT</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Jim Peterson today released the government's annual
report on Canada's market access priorities for 2004. Entitled <em>Opening Doors to the
World: Canada's International Market Access Priorities - 2004</em>, the report highlights the
successes of 2003 and sets out the objectives the government will continue to pursue
over the coming year.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Since an estimated one out of every four jobs in Canada is linked to exports, our social
and economic prosperity relies on our success as a trading nation," said Minister
Peterson. "As we build a strong 21st-century economy, we will continue to build on our
successes and work to reduce and eliminate barriers to goods, services and investment
in key foreign markets."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The report outlines significant market-opening results achieved by the government in
2003, in particular in Canada's largest export market, the United States. These results
encompass the opening of new consulates in the U.S. last year under the Enhanced
Representation Initiative and expanded bilateral cooperation on the Smart Border
Action Plan.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canada will continue to work to ensure that the world's markets are open to Canadian
businesses," added Minister Peterson. "We will accomplish this bilaterally, regionally
and multilaterally, while advancing World Trade Organization objectives."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Today's report is available at <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071122173419/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/cimap-en.asp">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/cimap-en.asp</a>.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Paper copies are also available from International Trade Canada by calling
(613) 944-3316.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">A backgrounder is attached.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Jacqueline LaRocque<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of International Trade<br>
(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071122173419/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>Backgrounder</strong></font><font face="Arial"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><strong>Trade Policy Objectives for 2004</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Successfully resolve the softwood lumber dispute with the United States</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Ensure a secure but business-friendly border with our top market, the United
States</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Reopen the border to trade in live animals, based on science</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Open new consulates and appoint honorary consuls in the United States as part
of the Enhanced Representation Initiative</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Achieve progress in World Trade Organization and Free Trade Area of the
Americas negotiations</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Initiate negotiations with the European Union on a trade and investment
enhancement agreement</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Conclude free trade agreement negotiations with El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Nicaragua and Singapore</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Strengthen access to new and emerging markets, notably Brazil, China and India</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Continue efforts to open key markets in Asia, Central America and Europe</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><strong>Main Market Access Achievements for Canada in 2003</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> In May 2003, Canada and the United States announced expansions of the Free
and Secure Trade (FAST) and NEXUS programs. FAST partners governments
with the private sector to promote a secure supply chain for low-risk goods
crossing the border. NEXUS facilitates the movement of pre-approved low-risk
frequent travellers.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> In September 2003, Canada announced that it will open seven new consulates,
upgrade two consulates and appoint 20 honorary consuls in the United States.
This will strengthen Canada's capacity to advocate its interests in vital economic,
political and security matters and to develop innovative strategic partnerships in
emerging U.S. economic power centres.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> In October 2003, NAFTA trade ministers approved a series of steps to increase
trade, including pursuing further liberalization of NAFTA rules of origin;
expanding temporary-entry preferential treatment to additional professions; and
determining ways to reduce transaction costs. They also further improved the
transparency and efficiency of dispute settlement under Chapter 11.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Two Canada-European Union agreements were finalized, one on trade in wines
and spirits and one on cereals. A joint action plan on Canada-EU regulatory
cooperation and dialogue was adopted at the May 2003 Canada-EU Summit.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Canada, the United States and Mexico signed a non-binding trilateral
arrangement regarding documentation requirements for exports of living modified
organisms intended for direct use as food or feed or for processing under the
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Transparency Standards on
administrative transparency were adopted with a view to improving market
access throughout the APEC region.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> The e-APEC Strategy was implemented through the organization of a wide range
of workshops, seminars and training programs on issues related to bridging the
digital divide.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and China's State Administration for
Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine signed memorandums of
understanding on cooperation in plant health and on cooperation in transmissible
spongiform encephalopathies.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> Chinese authorities formally accepted lowering the minimum capital
requirements for the expansion of life insurance companies.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> India removed the 4-percent Special Additional Duty on all products imported
into India.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> On November 6, 2003, Canada tabled legislation that will allow lower-cost
pharmaceutical products to be manufactured and exported in response to public
health problems afflicting developing and least-developed countries.</font></p>
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