March 5, 2004No. 34Minister of State (New and Emerging Markets) Gar Knutson today concluded CentralAmerica Circuit 2004, a trade mission he led to Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Ricaand Panama starting on March 1.Central America Circuit 2004 is the largest Canadian business mission ever led by aminister to the region, with 39 representatives from 26 companies in sectors such asagri-food and beverages; construction and building products; and environmentalservices and technologies. The participating Canadian companies were extremelypleased with the opportunity to meet so many qualified Central American businesscontacts."Canadian companies have a lot to offer to the region," said Minister Knutson. "As ourcommercial relations develop, and access improves, more and more businesses seethe enormous opportunities represented by Canada's strong ties with Central America."During the mission, Minister Knutson met with a number of his counterparts to discussways to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations between Canada andCentral America. He also met with President Óscar Berger of Guatemala, Vice-President Carlos Quintanilla Schmidt of El Salvador, Vice-President Lineth Saborío ofCosta Rica, and Vice-President Kaiser Bazán of Panama.In Guatemala, Mr. Knutson visited the facilities of the mail-sorting plant of El Correo, apartner of Canada Post International (CPI). Following on the success of an earlier five-year contract, El Correo and CPI have been awarded and are awaiting passage of theconcession to administer Guatemala's postal service for another 10 years.In El Salvador, Mr. Knutson announced--on behalf of Foreign Affairs MinisterBill Graham, and jointly with Foreign Affairs Minister María Eugenia Brizuelade Ávila--that Canada will be upgrading its office in San Salvador next summer to a fullembassy with a resident ambassador.In Costa Rica, Mr. Knutson met with Costa Rican business people and addressed theCosta Rica-Canada Chamber of Commerce, where he outlined the benefits that theCanada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement has had on our bilateral relationship. Sincethe Agreement's entry into force just over a year ago, bilateral trade between Canadaand Costa Rica has increased 11 percent. Parallel agreements on environment andlabour cooperation were also signed."This bilateral free trade agreement stands as a model for economic cooperationbetween a developed and a developing country," said Mr. Knutson.In Panama, the Minister officially opened the Canadian pavilion at Expocomer, CentralAmerica's largest regional trade show. Canada is proud to be the only country to haveparticipated in this international trade show every year since its inception in 1983.Many Canadian companies have successfully pursued market opportunities in CentralAmerica, and Canadian exports to the region have grown dramatically throughout the1990s. In 2003, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Central Americareached $968.55 million: Canada's merchandise exports to the region grew to$335.18 million and imports totalled $633.37 million.For information on Central America Circuit 2004, visithttp://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/latinamerica/2004circuit.- 30 -For further information, media representatives may contact:Jennifer WesankoDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of State (New and Emerging Markets)(613) 944-1679Media Relations OfficeDepartment of Foreign Affairs and International Trade(613) 995-1874http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
