Trudeau Promotes Trade and Business in Singapore, Highlights Canada's Appeal

08 Sep, 2023

Trudeau Promotes Trade and Business in Singapore, Highlights Canada's Appeal

Singaporean businesses are actively exploring collaboration with Canada to address greenhouse gas emissions and enhance global supply chains. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent visit to Singapore focused on promoting Canadian businesses and products in the city-state.

During his visit, Trudeau engaged in four meetings with regional business leaders and had plans to meet with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

One notable meeting was with Vijay Iyengar, the chairman and managing director of a company dedicated to sustainable sourcing of agri-food products. Iyengar emphasized that Agrocorp International, which already has significant investments in Saskatchewan and Alberta, is eager to find solutions to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. He expressed the company's commitment to responsible actions for the benefit of the environment and future generations, and he described Canada as an attractive destination for potential investments.

Trudeau highlighted Canada's attributes, including stability, economic growth, and cultural diversity, emphasizing the country's potential to provide reliability and foster job growth for Singapore.

The Prime Minister's Asian tour encompasses a focus on trade promotion, with particular attention given to Canadian energy and products. Trudeau has been engaging with leaders in the Indo-Pacific region and participating in two summits to enhance trade relationships.

Wayne Farmer, President of the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, emphasized the importance of establishing connections between senior government officials and private sector leaders as a key component of promoting Canadian interests in the region.

This visit to Singapore follows a stop in Jakarta, Indonesia, where Canada initiated a strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This partnership serves as a symbolic gesture reflecting Canada's growing presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Trudeau highlighted the progress being made toward a free-trade agreement with the 10 ASEAN member countries.

In the coming days, Prime Minister Trudeau will head to India to participate in the G20 leaders' summit in New Delhi, further strengthening Canada's global diplomatic and economic ties.