Okay.
Evidence of meeting #63 for International Trade in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was ntbs.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #63 for International Trade in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was ntbs.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:55 p.m.
Chair of Board of Directors, National Cattle Feeders' Association
I just want to make one point.
The South Korean market is going to be a big one, and that changed with the recent update in our negligible risk status on BSE. South Korea was a big market 20 years ago when our first case of BSE happened, and we've been basically shut out of South Korea since our first case of BSE in 2003. We've recently re-established that market. To be honest, that was probably, as far as Asian markets go, in the top two behind Japan 20 years ago, so we're quite thankful that we have that market back.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Thank you.
I'll turn to Mr. Laird in the brief time I have remaining.
My colleague, Mr. Arya, talked to you about mining, and you guys had a bit of an interaction with respect to the Canadian footprint on the African continent, specifically with respect to mining. You mentioned this in your opening statement as well.
Part of Minister Ng's mandate given to her by Prime Minister Trudeau talks about an effort to kick off an Africa-Canada economic co-operation strategy. From your perspective—you made some comments with respect to the African continent—how present or non-present are non-tariff trade barriers with respect to the African continent? Is that the pressing issue, or is the issue, more broadly speaking, your desire to have more FIPAs and more free trade agreements signed with African countries? Could you touch on that, please?
12:55 p.m.
Lawyer, As an Individual
Just really quickly....
We've seen Africa engaged in its own activity of creating a new free trade agreement in which investment is an important part, and there's a framework concluded. It's a ripe time for Canada to re-engage with many of its partners. As I mentioned, there are a number of agreements in Africa that have been negotiated and not completed, or that have just simply not been ratified but have gone that direct route. There's, indeed, some work to be done, and from a priority point of view, certainly a great deal of the future of Canadian international investment will be in Africa. It's a definite growth area, and I would commend a focus on that and agree with the minister's focus.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Thank you very much.
Thank you to our witnesses for their very valuable information for our study. We appreciate it.
Thank you to the committee members.
I move adjournment. Thank you.