CWB, China Opening Training Center

WINNIPEG - Dec 9/05 - SNS -- The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and China Cereals Oilseeds and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO) will open a training and technical center in Beijing.

The center, slated to open in April 2007, will support China's milling and food-processing industry.

The facility will provide training, educational seminars, technical exchanges and technical support to CWB customers and will promote the use of western Canadian-grown grain in a range of bread and noodle products.

The Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI), funded 40% by farmers, will be involved in developing technical programs and training activities. CIGI is a non-profit market development organization which promotes Canada's field crop industries in international and domestic markets through educational programming and technical activities.

The CWB will provide capital funding of $1 million to establish the center, with operating costs being shared between the CWB and COFCO. The CWB's contribution will be funded through the CWB's special account, comprised of farmer cheques which have remained uncashed for six years or more. Decisions regarding location of the center, equipment and staffing will be made throughout 2006.