Canada's PM Carney to attend Asean Summit next month

KUALA LUMPUR: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to attend the 47th Asean Summit here next month.

This was confirmed on Friday (Sept 26) by Yasir Naqvi, the parliamentary secretary to Canada's Minister of International Trade and Secretary of State (International Development).

“Prime Minister Carney is looking forward to attending next month’s Asean Summit as a guest of the chair (Malaysia) and the opportunity to take our partnership to new heights, including through concrete initiatives that are comprehensive, ambitious and innovative.

“This will be the fourth consecutive time a Canadian prime minister has participated in the Asean leaders' summit,” he said during the Asean Economic Ministers(AEM)-Canada consultation.

This also marks Carney’s first visit to the region since taking office.

“Canada’s new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Carney is fully committed to its strategic partnership with Asean and clearly recognises Asean's centrality in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

As both Asean and Canada work to conclude free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, he said business and investment relationships are poised to expand.

The agreement is projected to increase Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) by US$2.5bil (RM10.55bil) while for Asean, it is estimated to generate US$6bil (RM25.33bil).

“The potential benefits are clear,” Naqvi said.

The Asean Economic Ministers meeting ends today.