Canada Increases Its Southeast Asia Presence

(Minister of Foreign Affairs)

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today [Thursday] announced that Canada is taking steps to increase its commercial and political presence in Southeast Asia by creating Canada’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Network. The Ministers made the announcement while attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting in Singapore.

“We are strengthening our presence in Southeast Asia with the right people, and doing the right things to get tangible results for Canadians,” said Minister Cannon. “The ASEAN Network reinforces Canada’s strong commitment to the promotion and protection of Canadian values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. With respect to Burma, Canada is strengthening its advocacy on human rights; we look forward to closer cooperation in the region.”

Canada’s ASEAN Network will involve experts working on trade and investment, human rights, security, health, natural disasters and other bilateral and multilateral issues in the region.

“The ASEAN Network will further Canadian interests in the region and help identify new business opportunities for Canadian companies,” said Minister Day. “Additional experts in Canada’s missions in Southeast Asia will promote Canada as an investment destination of choice. Canada has a lot to offer, including a sound banking system, a stable business environment, the lowest corporate taxes in the G7 by 2012, and a dynamic, talented, highly qualified workforce.” […]

For more information about the Ministers’ participation at the APEC meeting, please visit APEC 2009 here.