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March 26, 1998
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

Province to participate in federal mission to China

Industry, Trade and Technology Minister Judy Foote will join her federal counterpart, Sergio Marchi, Minister for International Trade, on a trade mission to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. The trip, organized in conjunction with the Canada China Business Council, will take place from March 27 - April 5 and will provide an opportunity for high-level meetings with government and business officials to discuss common areas of interest in the energy, fishery, high technology and manufacturing sectors.

In mainland China, meetings are scheduled with the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries for China, the Minister of Electric Power for China, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC), the Mayor of Shanghai, the State Development and Investment Company (SDIC) and the Foreign Enterprise Service Company (FESCO), as well as representatives of several large Chinese companies.

In Hong Kong, Minister Foote will meet with Hong Kong government officials, lead a seminar for potential investors under the Business Immigration Fund jointly administered by the federal and provincial governments, and discuss Softworld `98, the upcoming international software deal-making event scheduled for St. John's this fall, with Hong Kong Trade Development Council officials.

She said: "Many changes are taking place in China and the visit presents an opportunity to better understand the new government structure and to identify new opportunities for companies from Newfoundland and Labrador in this dynamic market. Identifying and attracting sources of capital investment for the province is a priority during this visit."

At the conclusion of the trade mission, Minister Foote will travel to Tiawan where she will participate in meetings with government and business officials, returning on April 9.

Contact: John Doody, (709) 729-0050.