ASEAN, Canada strengthen cooperation hinh anh 1Canada’s Minister of International Trade Francois-Philippe Champagne (Source: afr.com)

Ottawa (VNA) – Canada's Minister of International Trade Francois-Philippe Champagne began his three-day visit on March 22 to Singapore, aiming to bolster trade and investment with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Singapore in particular.

The minister will meet with his Singaporean counterpart and other officials to discuss measures to enhance bilateral relations. He will also attend and deliver a speech at the Canada-ASEAN Business Council.

During his visit, Champagne will seek export opportunities for Canada’s aluminium and steel and expand trade and investment between the two countries and Canada-ASEAN, especially after the signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

ASEAN is the sixth largest trade partner of Canada, with two-way trade hitting 23.3 billion CAD, or 20 billion USD in 2017.

The signing of the CPTPP took place in Santiago de Chile on March 8 (local time), with the participation of representatives from 11 member countries, including four ASEAN members and Canada.- VNA

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