New Canada-U.S. Procurement Agreement A Positive Step

OTTAWA , Feb. 5 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA) today welcomed the announcement by the governments of Canada and the United States of an agreement-in-principle on government procurement.

"Last year, CSPA encouraged the federal and provincial governments to negotiate more open bilateral procurement access with the United States ," said Ron Watkins , President of the CSPA. "We commend the extensive efforts of Canadian governments in working together over several months to arrive at today's agreement."

The agreement will provide increased access for Canadian industry to a range of sub-national procurements in the United States , and temporary access to uncommitted funding in certain programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). In turn, Canadian provinces will sign the WTO agreement on government procurement, and U.S. industry will have temporary access to certain government construction projects in Canada . CSPA will be reviewing details on the current commitments, and looks forward to working with governments and other Canadian business leaders on longer term arrangements beneficial to Canada and the U.S.

CSPA Chairman Juergen Schachler (President and Chief Executive Officer, ArcelorMittal Dofasco) commented that "for Canada's steel and steel-based industries, and their workers and communities across Canada , the ability to compete in both Canada and the U.S. is important. We commend the hard work of the federal and provincial governments to negotiate this important first step to more assured access and expanded two-way trade, which helps strengthen manufacturing and established supply chains in both countries."

CSPA is the national industry association for Canada's steel and steel pipe producing sector. In 2008, the industry employed some 30 thousand Canadians with production facilities in 5 provinces, producing 15 million tonnes of steel with shipments of approximately $14 billion .

For further information: Ron Watkins, President, CSPA, [phone], [email protected]