By Caribbean News Global 
OTTAWA, Canada – Mary Ng, minister of small business, export promotion and international trade, virtually co-chaired—along with Vietnam’s minister of industry and trade, Tran Tuan Anh—the 9th annual ASEAN Economic Ministers-Canada consultations.
As trading nations, ASEAN countries and Canada know that building comprehensive and inclusive trade partnerships benefit our businesses, our peoples and our economies—especially as we work toward economic recovery from the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Canada and ASEAN’s 10 member states renewed their commitment to deepen economic relations by endorsing the new, 2021-2025 Work Plan to the 2011 Canada-ASEAN Joint Declaration on Trade and Investment. The Work Plan paves the way for us to build on these shared priorities and strong people-to-people ties to create prosperity for businesses and people in both regions.
“With interests in clean tech, infrastructure, advanced technology, agri-foods and more, the Canadian and ASEAN economies are complementary in many ways, presenting opportunities for greater two-way trade and investment. This view was echoed in a presentation by the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, in which it advocated for increased trade and investment between Canada and ASEAN member states. These multilateral discussions amid COVID-19 demonstrate our shared commitment to open, rules-based international trade and international collaboration during these unprecedented times,” Global Affairs Canada said in a press release.
Minister of small business, export promotion and international trade, Ng, said: “As we continue to promote open and rules-based trade, expanding Canada’s trade with ASEAN’s dynamic and fast-growing markets is a priority for Canada. With many shared goals and values between our economies, stronger economic ties with ASEAN will benefit businesses and people for years to come, particularly on the road to global economic recovery from COVID-19.”
Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) enjoy a strong and comprehensive bilateral relationship, underpinned by over 40 years of economic, security and political cooperation. Canada will continue to work closely with ASEAN to build on our strong partnership to foster business growth and fuel the economic recovery from COVID-19 for people in both regions.
