Vietnam underlines potential for ASEAN-Canada cooperation in multiple fields

Experts from both Canada and ASEAN member states, as well as leaders of businesses of both sides, gathered at an online conference held on July 29 by York University's Centre for Asian Studies to discuss Canada-ASEAN connectivity, especially in relation to business and education.

Participants discussed Canada-ASEAN relations in business and education, whilst also seeking ways in which to further deepen mutual ties and collaboration.

Rhonda L. Lenton, president of York University, reaffirmed commitments to expanding the partnership with ASEAN, as well as expressing hope that new co-operation opportunities can be explored.

As part of his speech at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Canada Pham Cao Phong outlined his hope that connections among leading businesses from both sides will be in trade and supply chains along with greater investment. There is especially potential in the fields of green energy and climate change-related industries which can fulfill the goal of developing a green and sustainable economy.

Moving forward, businesses from both sides should focus on making full use of existing agreements, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Ambassador Phong suggested.

The Vietnamese diplomat also proposed that both sides ramp up collaboration in vocational training, whilst also providing training courses on economic laws to enterprises of both sides.

With more than 20,000 students currently studying in Canada, Vietnam makes up the fifth largest country in terms of student numbers in the North American country, he noted. He added that ASEAN and Canada must intensify activities to promote each other's tourism.

Ambassador Phong therefore thanked Canada for its commitment of CA$3.5 million to the ASEAN COVID-19 Respond Fund over the next five years. This follows a request that Canada support struggling ASEAN countries in dealing with the fourth COVID-19 wave.

As a dialogue partner of ASEAN since 1977, Canada has contributed  important resources which can narrow the development gap in the region. Since 2000, The North American nation has donated close to CAD3.7 billion in support of development in ASEAN and its members.

Furthermore, mutual trade between both sides hit CA$26.6 billion in 2020, a slight fall compared to US$27.2 billion in 2019 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ASEAN made up the fifth largest trade partner of Canada in 2020.

In response, Richard Le Bars, head of the Canadian Mission to ASEAN, said that Canada is currently seeking ways to conduct negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with ASEAN.

A bilateral FTA can serve to bring about significant benefits to both sides, not only in trade and investment, but also in people-to-people exchanges and education.

Leonard F. Hutabarat, Indonesian Consul General to Toronto, said that there is great potential to boost trade between the two sides, particularly during a phase when the middle class is growing and developing infrastructure is offering numerous opportunities for investors.

During the course of the conference, participants also stressed the valuable chances that may be brought about from the close Canada-ASEAN relationship. This is along with providing foundations which allow various governments, universities, and officials of both Canada and ASEAN members to share information and propel the partnership forward in the future.