Strengthening Canada-ASEAN economic ties through trade promotion a key component of Canada’s ambitious pro-trade plan to boost exports.
June 5, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today thanked the delegates from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who travelled to Canada to see first-hand the opportunities available to grow the Canada-ASEAN trade and investment partnership. Ministers, high-ranking officials and business representatives from the 10-nation economic bloc visited Vancouver and Toronto for five days to witness Canada’s expertise in transportation infrastructure, strong banking and financial services, energy, manufacturing and high technology.
During their visit, the delegates met with entrepreneurs and stakeholders and toured Port Metro Vancouver—Canada’s Asia-Pacific gateway—from which the sailing time to Asia is up to three days shorter than from other major ports in the Americas. The delegates also observed some of the exciting innovations and technologies being produced at Ryerson University’s Centre for Urban Energy in Toronto.
Promoting trade and connecting Canadian businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to international markets and value chains is part of the Global Markets Action Plan to boost exports and create jobs and opportunities.
Minister Fast also announced that he will attend the 46th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting in Naypyidaw, Burma, in August.
Shannon Gutoskie
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade
613-992-7332
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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