Harper and team on multiple-destination Asia trade mission

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Tags: Stephen Harper, travel, Canada, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Asia, Asia Pacific, economic growth, exports, imports, international trade, Chinese government, federal government

By Joannah Connolly Fri Oct 4, 2013 2:31pm PST

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and two key federal government ministers are currently working their way through Asia on a trade mission aimed at advancing partnerships between Canada and Asia-Pacific countries.

The Prime Minister touched down in Malaysia today (October 4) to take part in a bilateral visit until Sunday (October 6), in the first formal visit by a Canadian prime minister to the Southeast Asian country in 17 years.

While his boss is in Malaysia, Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, is attending the 21st APEC ministerial, Trans-Pacific Partnership and CEO summit meetings in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, taking place from October 3 to 6.

On Monday (October 7), Fast is scheduled to be joined in Bali by Harper and John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, where they are all to take part in the two-day 21st annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting October 7-8.

"Commercial flows between Canada and its Asia-Pacific partners are essential to promoting jobs and economic growth here at home," said Harper. "I look forward to attending these meetings in Southeast Asia to further Canada's interests, advance regional trade liberalization and promote Canada as a business partner of choice."

Fast said, "Our government is focused on creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity in order to preserve and strengthen the financial security of Canadians.

"Opening new markets for our exporters is key to these efforts, and that's why I continue to advance Canada's interests throughout this dynamic and fast-growing region."

Following the APEC meeting in Indonesia, Fast is scheduled to travel to Singapore for the first Canada-ASEAN Business Council Forum. His trip concludes in China, where he hopes to advance the Harper government's pro-trade policies at meetings with Canadian and Chinese companies and senior Chinese government leaders.

jconnolly@biv.com

@jconnolly_biv

Tags: Stephen Harper, travel, Canada, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Asia, Asia Pacific, economic growth, exports, imports, international trade, Chinese government, federal government

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