International Trade committee  Do you mean EDC or the trade commissioner service?

International Trade committee  The EDC provides financing for qualified projects overseas. What we can do to further that is extend financing, not only to companies that are developing projects, but also to Canadian companies that are interested in setting up manufacturing facilities, both to cater to the Pacific Alliance markets and to re-export back to Canada.

International Trade committee  Yes. The trade commissioner services through our consulates in the Pacific Alliance countries provide support to companies that want to go into the market. They identify potential local partners, identify qualified distributors for them. They help the companies structure meetings with high-level government officials.

International Trade committee  I'm not so familiar with the specific terms of each of the agreements. What I see, after living in Latin America for 40 years, is this. What is going to be the medium-term impact when you have, let's say, China, which is basically making substantial investments...? What is the basis for negotiating a trade agreement that could be valued, as Mr.

International Trade committee  Vis-à-vis the United States, from my experience with business development in Latin America, the perception of Canada, and Canadian companies as a whole, is by far stronger and more readily accepted than American companies going into the market. One of the things that I would add, having lived in South America for many years of my life, is to have Canadian companies located in free zones, and to contribute with local added labour and purchase local resources.

International Trade committee  Canada as a country has a lot more awareness of environmental impact in the medium and long term. When you look at all of the four Latin American countries, we see their priorities lie in other areas. You'll find that most of the governments.... The Latino will basically move when he has to.

International Trade committee  It will be my pleasure. Mr. Chair and the committee, during the past 35 years, I've taken several companies into the global market, setting up strategic distribution, sales, and investment programs for companies moving into the region. I've had the chance to work with governments in different Latin American countries including heads of state, ministers, and institutions in both public and private sectors.