ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRADE EFFORTS TO GET BOOST FROM NEW
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE
Government and Chamber Enter Unique Strategic Partnership

February 26, 2003 (WINNIPEG) - The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Manitoba Trade, and Destination Winnipeg today announced the creation of a new International Business Centre (IBC) in the Paris Building at 259 Portage Avenue.

The IBC will house the office of each organization, creating a central point of contact to engage local, national, and international business in discussions on trade, investment, and strategic alliances. Anticipated benefits of the IBC include increased public visibility and greater collaboration and coordination of strategic economic development and trade activities.

Totaling 43,729 square feet, the IBC represents one of the larges office redevelopments, and leases in recent downtown Winnipeg history. The Paris Building is investing approximately $3.5 to 4 million in building upgrades to accommodate the IBC and future development.

Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Chair Robert Kreis says, "Downtown revitalization has been a long-standing strategic priority for The Winnipeg Chamber, reflecting our belief that downtown Winnipeg is the heart of our business community. The decision to locate the International Business Centre downtown, specifically along Portage Avenue, continues and expands on our commitment to the downtown's future. Through activity generated at the Centre, we are confident and excited about its potential to promote business and development downtown."

Highlights of the IBC include:

• A main floor tourism showcase managed by Destination Winnipeg.
• A main floor industry showcase managed by Manitoba Trade.
• The Chamber Conference Centre, offering a variety of meeting rooms and Winnipeg's most technologically-advanced boardroom for high-level local, national, and international presentations.

The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce office will be located on the First Floor of the Paris Building and will feature a tourism showcase managed by Destination Winnipeg. The Second Floor will house the Chamber Conference Centre, offering a variety of meeting rooms and state-of-the-art boardroom which will be made available for the use of all the building's Tenants. Destination Winnipeg and Manitoba Trade will be situated on the Third Floor, and Ninth through Eleventh floors respectively.