Bangkok – Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, concluded another trip to the Indo-Pacific region, during which she accompanied Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the ASEAN Summit, the G20 Leaders’ Summit and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
In Cambodia, Minister Ng joined the Prime Minister at the Asean -Canada 45th Anniversary Commemorative Summit. There, Canada and Asean committed to elevate Canada’s status to a Strategic Partnership – an enhanced level of relations with Asean and a strong demonstration of Asean countries’ endorsement of Canada’s engagement in the region.
The Prime Minister also announced several key initiatives that will expand Canada’s partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, including $24.1 million to establish the Canadian Trade Gateway in Southeast Asia, an enhanced trade hub that will expand Canada’s business and investment networks in the region; $13.1 million to the Asean-Canada Plan of Action Trust Fund to deepen engagements and our partnerships with Asean and support the participation of Asean member states in negotiations toward a Canada-Asean free trade agreement; and $24.5 million for a new Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada office in the region to expand relations with local partners.
Joining the Prime Minister in Indonesia, for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Minister Ng underscored commercial benefits of the Prime Minister’s announcement of a $750 million contribution that will bring Development Finance Institute Canada (FinDev Canada) to the Indo-Pacific for the first time, expanding Canada’s investment and assistance in sustainable, quality infrastructure projects across developing countries. Canada, through the Canadian Commercial Corporation, also signed two memorandums of understanding with Indonesia for Canadian businesses to develop Indonesia’s airport infrastructure and supply critical agricultural products to maintain food security.
At the APEC Ministerial Meeting in Thailand, Minister Ng reiterated Canada’s commitment to APEC. She joined the Prime Minister to announce that Canada was providing $45 million to launch a series of Team Canada trade missions to the Indo-Pacific; $31.8 million to establish a dedicated agriculture and agri-food office in the Indo-Pacific; $13.5 million to expand Canada’s ties with Indo-Pacific partners on natural resources; and $92.5 million to expand the capacity of Canada’s missions in the Indo-Pacific and at home within Global Affairs Canada to deepen ties with regional partners. The Minister also endorsed the Canada-Chile Joint Declaration on Investment Treaty Practice to strengthen the 2 countries’ trade and investment ties.
Throughout the trip, Minister Ng met with numerous heads of state, counterparts and other senior government officials. She continued to advocate for a rules-based international trading system and promote Canada as a strong trade and investment partner.
“The Indo-Pacific region is critical to the future of Canada’s economic growth and resilience. That is why our government is making historic investments to increase the Canadian presence in the region, which will create new opportunities for Canadian companies and well-paying Canadian jobs.”– Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development