Prime Minister hosts Canadian Trade Minister

The Prime Minister called on the two countries to fully tap their potential, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and boost development cooperation, adding that Viet Nam stands ready to help Canadian goods make deeper inroads into ASEAN.

Pham suggested both sides continue to coordinate closely to promote the exchange of high-level visits and expand collaboration in all fields of trade, investment, green transformation, digital transformation, and technology, processing industry, manufacturing, climate change prevention, energy, science and technology, and education and training.

Regarding international issues, the Prime Minister called on Canada to back Viet Nam and ASEAN's stance and viewpoints on the East Sea issue, including those on ensuring safety and freedom of navigation and overflight.

He emphasized the need to handle disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and supporting the effective and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and the building of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

For her part, Mary Ng informed the Prime Minister about the outcomes of the second meeting of the Viet Nam-Canada Joint Economic Committee, adding that the two sides agreed to advance the economic, trade and investment ties to a new height, and mobilize resources to implement the Political Declaration on establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership.

Canada highly values Viet Nam's role in ASEAN, as well as Viet Nam and ASEAN's role in its Indo-Pacific strategy, the minister said.

She expressed her hope that Viet Nam will work together with Canada to accelerate negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement and support her country as the rotating chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2024.

Mary Ng is leading a delegation of 135 businesses and organizations to seek investment opportunities in Viet Nam. The strongest representation on the trip is from clean tech, information and communications technology, and the food and cybersecurity sectors.

Canada is Viet Nam's third largest trade partner in America while Viet Nam is Canada's biggest trade partner in ASEAN. Canada is also Viet Nam's 14th largest investor with more than 247 projects worth over US$4.82 billion./.