Four-day trade and development mission to Laos and Burma to strengthen commercial and economic ties
August 26, 2014 - Vientiane, Laos - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today kicked off a trade and development mission to Laos and Burma from August 26 to 29, 2014, to continue to build stronger economic ties with the region and with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Minister Fast’s first official visit to Laos also represents a milestone in the bilateral relationship; it will be the first time in history that a Canadian trade minister has visited the country. Through meetings with government officials and representatives of Canadian companies operating in Laos, Minister Fast will also highlight opportunities to deepen trade and bilateral relations between our countries.
In Burma, Minister Fast will participate in the third ASEAN Economic Ministers-Canada Consultations and will continue Canada’s sustained engagement with the 10 ASEAN member nations on trade, investment and economic ties.
Including his visit to Laos, Minister Fast will have led trade missions to all 10 members of ASEAN, a priority objective under the Global Markets Action Plan. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has also visited every ASEAN member nation. Together, Ministers Fast and Baird are engaging comprehensively with ASEAN in supporting human rights, improving regional security, reducing transnational crime, and increasing trade and investment opportunities.
The four-day, two-country trade and development mission will be Minister Fast’s fourth visit to Asia this year and his 16th visit to Asia in total.
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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