October 9, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today met with Roberto Azevêdo, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
During the meeting, Minister Fast reiterated Canada’s disappointment with the failure to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), as agreed at the WTO’s Ninth Ministerial Conference. As a result, hard-working Canadians, stakeholders and businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are being prevented from accessing the tremendous economic growth, jobs and opportunities that would have been generated by the successful implementation of the agreement.
Minister Fast and Director-General Azevêdo also discussed how to find ways to make the WTO work better and re-establish its credibility as an organization that advances trade liberalization around the world.
Minister Fast outlined Canada’s recently announced Global Markets Action Plan and the recent conclusion of the Canada-European Union and the Canada-South Korea trade agreements, which, once implemented, will provide Canada with free trade access to 43 countries, more than half the world’s economy. Building on these historic achievements, vigorous trade-promotion efforts and activities are being planned that will allow Canadian SMEs to realize their full export potential.
Minister Fast highlighted the importance of the Trade in Services Agreement, the Environmental Goods Agreement, and the Information Technology Agreement in providing increased trade access, as well as predictability and transparency, for Canadian companies.
“Canada remains committed to the WTO. At the same time, we will continue to provide trade liberalization leadership on the world stage and implement our pro-trade, pro-export plan under our Global Markets Action Plan.
“With last month’s historic achievements of the Canada-EU and the Canada-South Korea trade agreements, we are committed to continuing to provide the tools and the support to our SMEs so they can realize their full export potential, creating jobs and opportunities in every region of the country.
- 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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