Mr. Speaker, the question from the member for London-Middlesex is especially timely given the progress that has been made in the peace settlement process in the Middle East. Against that background the need for infrastructure and the need to sustain the economic development of the region is evident everywhere. It is in such products that Canada is eminently qualified to supply.
We reopened our embassy in Beirut in January, indicative of the commitment we are making to the further progress in the Middle East.
I also take this occasion to pay tribute to my parliamentary secretary, the member for Ottawa Centre, who has been particularly active in leading delegations and trade fairs to the Middle East.