Canada Announces Jamshed Merchant as Consul General in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Government of Canada announces the arrival of Jamshed Merchant as Consul General in Minneapolis, responsible for a five-state region including Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Merchant immediately begins his duties as Consul General and is expected to serve a four-year term. Merchant leads a team of professionals building two-way trade and investment ties, engaging decision-makers and citizens on a range of issues important to both countries and helping Canadians living and traveling in the region.

"It is an honor to be working for the Government of Canada in this region of the United States," said Merchant, who is now Canada's top diplomat in the Upper Midwest. "The U.S. and Canada have the largest trading relationship in the world, our energy infrastructure is intrinsically linked and we share similar cultures and values. Especially in this border region, the connections are numerous and deep. Canadians and Americans are friends, neighbors and allies, and I look forward to building upon the existing strong and unique relationship between Canada and the United States."

The Consulate General of Canada is located in downtown Minneapolis and has had a presence in the city since 1970. Two-way trade between Canada and the five-state region covered by the Consulate General exceeds $34 billion a year. "When it comes to business, Canada is the number one trading partner for our five-state region, and more than 391,000 jobs are supported by Canada-U.S. trade," said Merchant.

"Canada values our close relationship with all of the states in this territory. We are honored to have had a presence in this region for more than 40 years, and to have citizens recognize our strong partnership. Our economies are intertwined, and that is a benefit to us all," added Merchant.

Merchant comes to Minnesota from Ottawa where he served most recently as Assistant Deputy Minister for Agri-Environment in Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. See detailed biography.

More information at www.minneapolis.gc.ca.

Contact:  Christine Davis 
612-209-0248 or [email protected]

SOURCE Consulate General of Canada