August 11, 2008
No. 175
The Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of International Trade, wil ll visit Mexico, Panama and Ecuador from August 11 to 15 to explore business opportunities that will strengthen economic growth in Canada and in these countries.
"Mexico, Pana ma and Ecuador are important partners for Canada in the Americas," said Minister Fortier. "Our governments want to strengthen commercial relations with our hemispheric neighbours to create closer ties and stimulate economic growth in Canada."
While in Mexico, Minister Fortier will deliver a keynote address to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, his first major speech as minister of International Trade. He will also speak wit h Canadian companies active in Mexico to discuss how bilateral trade and investment could be promoted.
Mexico has been identified as a priority market for Canada. Since 1994, trade between Canada and Mexico has grown more than fourfold under NAFTA and now exceeds $20 billion. Mexico is currently Canada's fifth-largest export market and third-largest source of imports.
In Panama, the Minister will meet with government representatives. He will also speak to the business community to highlight Canadian involvement in a number of local economic ventures, including the Panama Canal Expansion Project.
Canada and Panama enjoy growing commercial and political relations, which include an open skies agreement signed in June 2008 and a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement signed in 1998.
While in Ecuador, Minister Fortier will meet with key decision makers. He will also tour the new Quito international airport construction project-a major infrastructure project, in which a Canadian-led consortium and the Canadian Commercial Corporation are involved.
Canada has long-standing relations with Ecuador. Canadian companies are major investors in Ecuador's oi l and gas, and mining sectors, accounting for 90 percent of investment in these areas.
For more information on these visits, consult the following website: www.international.gc.ca/commerce/visit-visite/e2-2008/index.aspx.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Christopher Hilton
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
613-992-7332
Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and Int ernational Trade Canada
613-996-2000
www.international.gc.ca/ind ex.aspx
