|
Prime Minister Announces Team Canada 1999 to Japan and Australia
May 7, 1999
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced he will lead the fifth Team Canada trade mission in September, to promote Canada's business interests in Japan and Australia.
«This is the first time that Team Canada has visited Japan and Australia and the fourth time we have gone to the Asia Pacific region,» said the Prime Minister. «This is a sign of how serious we are about developing our commercial ties with the region. The previous missions have been an outstanding showcase for Canadian know how and expertise. This one will help us expand on our already successful trading relationships with two key Pacific Rim economies. Japan, as our second largest trading partner, and Australia, as a strong and longstanding ally, represent key political and economic partners for Canada in the Asia-Pacific.»
Provincial Premiers and Territorial Leaders have been invited to join the Prime Minister on the mission. He will also be accompanied by International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi and Secretary of State (Asia Pacific ) Raymond Chan.
The Prime Minister, Premiers and Territorial Leaders will meet with many of the two nations' leading political and business figures to explore ways to strengthen Canada's economic ties in the region. The mission will also provide opportunities to explore new and innovative techniques to develop business links in the new millennium.
The Canadian business delegation will be drawn from seven priority sectors: space and aerospace; energy/natural resources; agrifood and food biotechnology; healthcare, information technology and telecommunications; environment and education. Members will take part in a full program of seminars and panel discussions to further their knowledge of local markets and encourage links and partnerships with Japanese and Australian firms.
The four previous Team Canada missions visited: China in November 1994; India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia in January 1996; South Korea, the Philippines and Thailand in January 1997; and Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile in 1998.
These missions have opened doors for Canadian businesses to important contracts and opportunities, creating and sustaining thousands of jobs in every region of Canada.
- 30 -
PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
|
