Released on September 5, 2001
Saskatchewan agri-food exporters will now have an easier time crossing theborder into Mexico.
A new partnership with the federal, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec
governments will see a border resource person posted at Nuevo Laredo,
Mexico to help exporters cut through any red tape.
"Forty per cent of Canada's agri-food exports to Mexico come from
Saskatchewan, representing more than $200 million annually," Deputy Premier
and Agriculture and Food Minister Clay Serby said. "With the support of
the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP), a full-time resource
person will be at the Mexican border to help ensure any difficulties are
ironed out quickly and Canadian goods move more smoothly across the border."
Mexico has become one of the largest and most important markets for
Canada's agri-food products. Since NAFTA, agri-food trade between the two
countries has increased 88 per cent – last year totalling more than $1
billion. Despite growing opportunity in Mexico, the agri-food industry is
still experiencing difficulties with technical border details, particularly
for processed food products.
Mexico has a complicated import regime and there is some uncertainty among
Canadian exporters about specific clearance requirements. The border
resource person will be available to consult with companies prior to
shipping to ensure all paperwork is in order and will be on-site to
troubleshoot any problems if a product is held up at the border. The
resource person will also develop strong working relationships with the
Mexican government and other border officials.
Information sessions on how to best utilize the new border representative
and other tips on exporting to Mexico will be held this fall.
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, is the second busiest international border crossing
in the Americas. The federal government and five provinces have made a two-
year commitment to the project.
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For more information, contact:
Chandra Mark Media Relations
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Regina Ottawa
Phone: (306) 787-5966 Phone: (613) 759-7972