OTTAWA - Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, announced today an agreement with Israel to begin negotiations on a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) to facilitate the importing and exporting of telecommunications equipment. The announcement followed discussions between Minister Clement and the Honourable Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, Israeli Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour.

"An MRA will broaden trade opportunities for Canada's telecommunications industry and provide access to Israel's latest communications technology for Canadian industry and consumers," said Minister Clement. "I look forward to having Canadian and Israeli officials meet to begin negotiating the MRA for telecommunications equipment."

MRAs facilitate trade by streamlining the conformity assessment procedures for a wide range of telecommunications equipment. An MRA would allow Canada and Israel to accept each other's test results and, eventually, certificates of compliance.

A reduced regulatory burden and increased opportunities for Canadian business are among the benefits of existing MRAs with the European Community, the European Free Trade Area countries, Switzerland, members of the Organization of American States and members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Industry Canada officials will travel to Israel early in 2010 to begin negotiating the MRA.