OTTAWA, April 7, 2005 -- The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, the Honourable Jim Peterson, Minister of International Trade, and the Honourable Ehud Olmert, Vice-Prime Minister of Israel and Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour, today announced that Canada and Israel intend to renew their support for the Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation (CIIRDF), which promotes business-led research and development partnerships between Canada and Israel. Minister Emerson and Minister Olmert signed a joint declaration today at a ceremony on Parliament Hill confirming the intention of Canada and Israel to renew their commitment to CIIRDF. Minister Peterson will co-sign the agreement in Toronto upon his return from India. "Projects supported by CIIRDF have produced important technological advances, which benefit not only participating businesses, but help us to address national priorities in areas such as health care and the environment," said Minister Emerson. "Canada's innovation performance depends increasingly on our ability to capitalize on technology opportunities around the globe, and the Canada-Israel partnership is an excellent model for how we can achieve this." "Closer research and development ties with Israel mean more opportunities for Canadian business," said Minister Peterson. "This will further strengthen Canada-Israel trade, which stands at more than $1 billion a year." "CIIRDF reflects the long history of cooperation and goodwill between our two countries, and signals our mutual commitment to expand our scientific and economic linkages in the future," said Vice-Prime Minister Olmert. "It is an excellent example of how two countries, while geographically distant, can work together to achieve shared objectives." Since CIIRDF's inception in 1993, the governments of Canada and Israel have each contributed $1 million per year to the program. Government support for CIIRDF was most recently renewed in November 1999 for a five-year period, from fiscal year 2000-01 to 2004-05. The Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation is an international role model for fostering innovation. The program grants seed money for basic advanced technological research and development to joint ventures of Canadian and Israeli small enterprises. Approved projects have demonstrated both commercial viability and outstanding contribution to the public good; for instance, cancer research. - 30 - For additional information, please contact: Jacqueline LaRocque Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Jim Peterson Minister of International Trade (613) 992-7332 Christiane Fox Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson Minister of Industry (613) 995-9001
