Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My first question is for Mr. Al-Katib.
Congratulations on your success. The progress your company has made is most impressive. I must admit that I was somewhat surprised when I saw the initial figures for Alliance Grain Traders Inc.
Your testimony was very interesting for a few reasons. As you stated clearly, it is all very well to sign a free trade agreement, but marketing has to be supported as well. I think your point of view is particularly relevant.
The products you supply are basic agricultural products. If I understand correctly—and perhaps Mr. Hodgson will also be able to address this—we constantly wonder to what extent Canada's international transactions with its partners are profitable under a free-trade agreement. This is a concern to us. I am my party's critic on small enterprise and tourism. We are concerned about the value added to products, which nevertheless creates jobs. This may also be lucrative financially and secure us a competitive position.
Could you please speak a little more about this? Obviously, I don't know how much you can say about the value added to your products.