Parliamentary Secretary Sidhu to engage business leaders in Singapore and Indonesia on Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

February 20, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced today that Maninder Sidhu, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be travelling to Singapore and Indonesia to engage with key business partners and stakeholders and to help advance Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. He will be in Singapore from February 20 to 23 and in Indonesia from February 23 to 26, 2023.

While in Singapore, Parliamentary Secretary Sidhu will participate in the Canada-in-Asia Conference and meet with the Business Leaders Council to underscore the importance of deepening partnerships with Singapore and other partners in the region in the context of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Parliamentary Secretary Sidhu’s visit will coincide with the visit of the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, to Singapore to launch Canada’s new Team Canada Trade Mission, a key initiative under the Indo-Pacific Strategy.

While in Indonesia, Parliamentary Secretary Sidhu will participate in the Canada- Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN] Business Council and Investment forum to engage the Canada-ASEAN business community and develop closer cooperation with ASEAN. He will meet with the Secretary General of ASEAN and build on Canada’s already substantial engagement with ASEAN and help promote the Indo-Pacific Strategy with key stakeholders.

Quotes

“As Canada is putting its Indo-Pacific Strategy into action, I will be in Southeast Asia to reinforce Canada’s role as a true, trusted, and reliable partner. As we deepen our partnerships, we will seize the tremendous opportunities to grow our economies, both for Canadians and for people in the region.”

- Maninder Sidhu Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

  • Canada was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Singapore since it became fully independent in 1965.

  • In 2021, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Singapore was valued at $2.2 billion. Canada’s merchandise exports were $1.2 billion, led by machinery and equipment, electronic equipment, and scientific and precision instruments.

  • In 2022, Canada and Indonesia celebrated the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Prime Minister Trudeau participated in the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia.

  • Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest economy and a G20 member with significant potential for economic growth.

  • The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising 10 member states with the objective to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development; promote regional peace and stability, respect for justice and the rule of law; and increase collaboration across a range of economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative spheres.

  • In 2022, Canada celebrated 45 years of cooperation with ASEAN.

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Contacts

Adrien Blanchard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Adrien.Blanchard@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
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