Minister Fast Leads Trade Mission to Africa

OTTAWA, Canada, January 28, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- First trade mission of 2013 to focus on key opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses in fast-growing markets

The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, announced today that he will lead a trade mission to Nigeria and Ghana from January 27 to February 1, 2013. Representatives from 28 Canadian companies and organizations, predominantly from the extractive and infrastructure sectors, will participate in the trade mission.

“Exporting Canada's world-class goods, services and expertise to new, fast-growing markets around the world is a key part of Canada's Economic Action Plan for jobs, growth and long-term prosperity,” said Minister Fast. “This mission to Africa—my first trade mission of 2013—is an important part of that plan.”

Africa is one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the world. According to the International Monetary Fund, five of the world's 20 fastest-growing economies are in sub-Saharan Africa. Between 1995 and 2011, average annual GDP growth in sub-Saharan Africa was greater than 4.9 percent.

“I look forward to working with mission participants, who have the technologies and expertise that can help developing countries advance and manage their natural resource industries responsibly while fostering prosperity, job creation, poverty reduction and good governance,” added Minister Fast.

Canadian companies excel in mining, oil and gas extraction, and infrastructure development, including power and energy generation—areas that are in high demand in developing economies.

Canada's bilateral merchandise trade with Nigeria reached $2.7 billion in 2011, up nearly 44 percent over 2010; bilateral merchandise trade with Ghana reached almost $322 million in 2011, up 61 percent over 2010.

For more information, see Minister Fast's trade mission to Africa.