September 9, 1999
(Executive Council)

Premier Tobin leading delegation on Team Canada 1999 Mission

Premier Tobin will lead the largest delegation of all the Atlantic Canadian provinces on the Team Canada 1999 mission to Japan, which departs from Vancouver on September 11, and returns on the 18th.

"With the second largest economy in the world, Japan represents a lucrative market for both Canada, and for Newfoundland and Labrador, and I am excited to be leading a strong provincial delegation on this mission," said the premier. "Japan has remained among our top five export destinations for the past five years, and this mission is an opportunity for the province to capitalize on our existing trade relationship with Japan."

The Newfoundland and Labrador delegation includes Grand Atlantic Seafoods Inc., Atlantis Marine Inc., Aliant Inc., Miki Enterprises Inc., Coast of Bays Corporation, Information Services Inc., Open Learning Information Network, and Bae-Newplan Group Ltd.

Team Canada provides a forum to increase Canada's international business opportunities, and represents a unique partnership between business and government which has had substantial success over the last several years. Over 1,600 businesses have participated in the past four missions, with deals worth $24 billion concluded.

A business delegation of approximately 255 business and government representatives will participate in Team Canada 1999, which travels to Osaka first, and then to Tokyo. This will be the largest Canadian mission ever to travel to Japan. Canada has outlined eight areas of key economic activity for the mission: space, electric power and energy, food biotechnology, health, information and communication technologies, building products, environment and education.

"The Japanese business environment is going through a number of changes, which is encouraging more and more global partnerships," said Premier Tobin. "Team Canada 1999 gives the province an excellent opportunity to work in cooperation with the private sector, with the federal government, and with the other provinces and territories to increase trade in this key market."

Media contact: Heidi Bonnell, Premier's Office, (709) 729-3960.

1999 09 09                      2:15 p.m.