Will participate in G-20 ministers meeting and highlight important people-to-people ties between Canada and the Philippines
July 17, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today announced that he will lead a trade mission to Australia and the Philippines to advance the interests of Canadian companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Minister will also represent Canada at the G-20 Trade Ministers Meeting being held in Sydney, Australia, on July 18 and 19.
The G-20 Trade Ministers Meeting will focus on coordinating national economic policies in order to contribute to strong, sustainable and balanced growth. Minister Fast will highlight Canada’s ambitious pro-trade plan to create jobs and opportunities for Canadians at home and abroad.
In the Philippines, Minister Fast will promote Canada’s interests in the agriculture, defence, information and communications technologies and sustainable technologies sectors. He will also highlight the important and growing people-to-people ties that exist between Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which the Philippines is a member.
While in Manila on July 21 and 22, Minister Fast will meet with Gregory Domingo, the Philippines’ Secretary of Trade and Industry, and with senior business leaders to discuss how the Philippines is driving domestic and international economic development, trade and investment by partnering with Canada and Canadian companies to fuel its economic growth.
This is Minister Fast’s 15th visit to Asia and his second visit to both Australia and the Philippines.
“There is no better fuel for the economy than solid economic fundamentals supported by free and open trade. Taking concrete action to foster increased trade is a critical part of how the G-20 can collectively boost its GDP by an additional 2 percent.
“Our government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity, which is why I am also leading a trade mission to Australia and the Philippines. A key part of Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan includes broadening and strengthening Canadian exports and our investment relationships in dynamic and fast-growing markets, while supporting our SMEs as they explore doing business with them.”
- Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade
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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