February 8, 2002
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced he will lead a Team Canada
trade mission with twelve provincial and territorial leaders and over 300
business people to Russia and Germany from February 12-22, 2002. International
Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Secretary of State (Central and Eastern
Europe and Middle East) Gar Knutson will also take part to support Canada’s
growing trade and investment relations with these countries.
"This Team Canada mission will reinforce Canada’s presence in the
growing Russian market. It shows our support for the historic structural reforms
underway in Russia that will create greater investor confidence and anchor
Russia as an open, market-driven economy," said the Prime Minister.
"Team Canada also offers great opportunities to increase two-way trade and
investment with Germany, a vital partner in an expanding European Union."
In Moscow, Prime Minister Chrétien, the provincial premiers and territorial
leaders will meet with President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail
Kasyanov. The Prime Minister will also host a Team Canada networking event for
Russian and Canadian business at the Luzhniki Sports Palace, site of 1972
Canada-USSR Hockey Summit Series.
In Berlin, the Prime Minister, provincial premiers and territorial leaders
will meet German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and participate in the
groundbreaking ceremony for Canada House, the new Canadian embassy building. In
Munich, the delegation will meet with Bavarian Minister-President Edmund Stoiber.
In 2000, Canada’s two-way trade with Russia and Germany reached nearly $870
million and $11 billion, respectively. Canadian exports to Russia in the first
11 months of 2001 increased by over 50 percent to $277 million over the same
period in 2000, particularly in the areas of oil and gas and mining. Germany is
a key investment partner for Canada, with over $10 billion invested between the
two countries. It is one of the most important European markets in several key
sectors, including aerospace, automotive and financial and pharmaceutical
services, and is the third largest market worldwide for Canadian cultural
products.
The Prime Minister has led previous Team Canada missions to China in 1994;
India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia in 1996; South Korea, the Philippines
and Thailand in 1997; Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile in 1998; Japan in
September 1999; and China and Hong Kong in 2001. He has also led Team Canada
Atlantic missions to Boston in 2000 and Atlanta in 2001, and recently concluded
a Team Canada West mission to Dallas and Los Angeles.
These initiatives have helped more than 2,550 representatives of Canadian
businesses and organizations gain access to international markets, directly
contributing to some $30.2 billion in new business.
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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
For more information on the Team Canada 2002 Trade Mission, including a list
of delegates, please consult: http://www.tcm-mec.gc.ca/tc2002/menu-e.asp
