Prime Minister praises Keidanren mission to Canada

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien praised the 1996 Keidanren Business Partnerships Mission to Canada following a meeting today with mission leader Mr. Koichiro Ejiri. "Canada attaches considerable importance to this mission, which we believe will be a key stepping stone in enhancing bilateral trade and investment links," said the Prime Minister. "Our objective in hosting this mission is to showcase Canada's competitiveness and its many advantages in the global marketplace."

The Keidanren is a private, non-profit organization which includes in its membership most of Japan's largest and most influential companies and business associations. A Senior Advisor and Former Chairman of Mitsui & Co. Ltd. -- a company which ranked number two in terms of sales revenue in 1995 out of all Fortune 500 companies -- Mr. Ejiri also serves as the Chairman of the Japan-Canada Economic Committee of the Keidanren.

The Keidanren mission to Canada will consist of two groups of Japanese specialists in the processed food and information technologies sectors who will explore opportunities for business partnerships between Canadian and Japanese companies in these areas. These teams will visit Canada from September 20 to 27.

In a meeting later today chaired by International Trade Minister Art Eggleton, Mr. Ejiri and his delegation will discuss with Canadian officials the current state of the Canadian economy and political scene. Mr. Ejiri will also meet separately with the Governor of the Bank of Canada and senior representatives from CIDA, and with executives from the Business Council on National Issues (BCNI) and the Canada-Japan Business Conference.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555


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