Canadian Minister of International Trade François-Philippe Champagne is scheduled to attend a meeting in Hanoi today, May 20, as part of a week-long trip to East and Southeast Asia to advance Canada’s progressive trade agenda.

Minister Champagne is also slated to conduct a forest products trade mission during the May 20 - 26 trip, the Global Affairs Canada said in a press release ahead of the visit.

According to his agenda, Champagne will take part in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Hanoi on May 20 and 21 to promote Canada’s progressive trade approach and advance engagement with Asia Pacific.

While in Vietnam, he will also meet with senior government and business leaders to discuss ways to expand Canada’s trade, including in Canadian forest products with Vietnam.

Champagne will then leave Hanoi for Singapore, where he is scheduled to meet with members of the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, before heading for Seoul and concluding his trip in Tokyo.

The Asia tour takes place in the context that Canada is focusing on stimulating economic growth at home by increasing trade with partners in Asia, and the fast-growing markets in the region offer enormous potential for Canadian businesses and opportunities to create good-paying jobs for Canada’s middle class.

Speaking to an audience of Canadian business executives in Ottawa earlier this week, the trade minister reiterated the importance of relations between Canada and ASEAN, as Canada celebrates 40 years of engagement in the region.

“Canada is a trading nation, and growing our trade relations with Asia is a top priority,” Minister Champagne said at the event.

“Asia represents significant opportunities for trade and investment with Canada that will create long-term growth, good jobs and an economy that works for the middle class.

“I am proud to be in Asia for the second time in a month promoting our world-class forest products.”

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