September 16, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, announced that she will be in Lao People’s Democratic Republic from September 19 to 21, 2024 and will attend the Thirteenth Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers–Canada Consultation on September 20.

At the consultation, Minister Ng will emphasize Canada’s firm commitment to ASEAN as a strategic partner and provide updates on the progress of key trade initiatives over the last year. She will also underscore Canada’s dedication to strengthening trade and investment ties through its Indo-Pacific Strategy, which has ASEAN at its core.

Minister Ng will also take this opportunity to meet with counterparts from ASEAN member states to discuss priority areas of collaboration. She will speak about advancing negotiations toward an ASEAN-Canada free trade agreement, which aims to provide new market access for Canadian and ASEAN companies, ensuring further opportunities to grow, through trade, the shared communities, industries and futures of Canada and ASEAN.