9 August 2002

Canada to Begin Talks on a Proposed Free Trade Agreement with the Andean Countries

The Government of Canada and members of the Andean community (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela) will hold preliminary talks on a proposed free trade agreement.

The Andean countries are important commercial partners for Canada; bilateral trade in 2001 reached $3.6 billion, with Canadian exports totalling $1.5 billion. Cumulative Canadian investment in the Andean countries is estimated at $11 billion.

The Government of Canada will shortly undertake a broad and comprehensive consultation process to seek input from the provinces and territories, the Canadian public, businesses and non-governmental organizations.