The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today announced the start of the third round of negotiations to expand and modernize the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA). The negotiations are taking place in Jerusalem fromDecember 7 to 11, 2014, and will cover a range of issues.
An expanded and modernized agreement will support Canadian businesses and investors, deepen trade and investment linkages and further strengthen Canada's bilateral relationship with Israel.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the launch of negotiations during his official visit to Israel last January. Israel is a priority market for Canada under the Global Markets Action Plan.