Ontario Establishes Presence In Three More International Markets

Investment Update – February 2007

Ontario Establishes Presence In Three More International Markets

New International Marketing Centres In Paris, Mexico City And Beijing
To Help Create Jobs In Ontario

TORONTO and OTTAWA – Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Trade Sandra Pupatello and federal Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter MacKay have announced that three new Ontario international marketing centres will be co-located within the Canadian Embassies in Paris, Mexico City and Beijing.

"With this move, the McGuinty Government continues to expand Ontario's international reach and raise the province's economic profile in the global marketplace," said Minister Pupatello.

Ontario's new International Marketing Centres in Paris, Mexico City and Beijing will bring to ten the number of Ontario international marketing centres abroad, with the other seven already located in the Canadian missions in New York, Shanghai, Munich, New Delhi, Tokyo, Los Angeles and London.

"Provincial co-locations are further testament to Canada's New Government's commitment to open federalism and its willingness to work with the provinces and territories to promote Canada's interests abroad," said Minister MacKay. The three new offices will add to an existing network of 21 provincial co-locations involving Ontario and other provinces at Canadian diplomatic and consular missions abroad.

The advantages of co-location for both orders of government are significant. They facilitate access to local contacts and centres of expertise, provide the opportunity for the province to work in close cooperation with federal commercial and public affairs representatives, and help to assure that Canada's activities and messaging in the host country are coordinated and coherent.

"Expanding Ontario's strategic international presence is a key priority," Minister Pupatello said. "Our international marketing centres have been very successful in boosting Ontario's strengths and expertise in key global markets. They're helping attract more job-creating investments to the province; they're providing Ontario companies with the contacts and information they need to succeed in a global economy; and they are connecting with key influencers and business decision-makers to promote Ontario's interests. Moreover, our partnership with the federal government and our association with the "Canada brand" has been a key element in the international marketing centres' success to date," she added.

Ontario has made the strategic decision to locate its newest offices in three of the world's most dynamic business centres:

· Paris: France is a key source of international investment for Ontario and an important European partner.
· Mexico City: Mexico is a member of the North American Free Trade Agreement, is one of Ontario's most important trading partners, and holds significant potential for both outbound and inbound investment.
· Beijing: The Beijing office will expand Ontario's presence in China, a key market for pursuing Ontario's ongoing commitment to global competitiveness, and will complement Ontario's existing International Marketing Centre in Shanghai.

It is anticipated that these three new international marketing centres will become operational in the first half of 2007. Each will be staffed with two full-time representatives - one sent from Ontario, another hired locally to support Ontario's interests. In addition to attracting investment and promoting the export of Ontario goods and services, these offices will reach out to international business media, gather strategic commercial intelligence, foster linkages between international and Ontario-based researchers and institutions, and market Ontario's business advantages to key decision-makers and influencers in a host of key economic sectors.

www.ontariocanada.com

Contacts Presse :

IRIS CONSEIL
Christine Arnal
Tél : 00 33 (1) 45 44 04 21
Fax: 00 33 (1) 45 44 18 14
E-mail: c.arnal@iris-conseil.net
& Site: http://www.iris-conseil.net

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