It is our pleasure to invite you to join us at the Forum “Leverage FTAs: Vietnam as a gateway to ASEAN for Canadian businesses to scale up and go global” which will be held on 24th October, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario.
Co-organized by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, the Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade (Vietnam Trade Office in Canada), the Forum aims to evaluate the CPTPP’s five years of implementation and the best course of action for maximising its benefits in the new context of the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the upcoming Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement.
ASEAN region is the fastest growing economic region in the world and will be the consumption gravity of the world by 2030 with 660 million of consumers. ASEAN is now the 5th largest economy of the world and quickly emerges as a new global hub for trade, exchange and innovation. Vietnam has been a good and significant partner for Canada in ASEAN for 50 years. Vietnam has consistently been the top ASEAN destination for Canadian goods thanks to an average economic growth rate of 7% over a 30-year period, and it can serve as a gateway for Canadian companies looking to grow in the region.
The momentum of trade relations between Canada and the 11 CPTPP countries is particularly booming after 5 years of CPTPP and has increased 23% in 2022 in comparison to 2018. The Vietnam is now figuring on Canada’ top 10 largest trading partner list. The 2nd Joint-Economic Committee meeting between Vietnam and Canada; the recent announced Trade mission to Vietnam, which will be leading by the Minister of International Trade of Canada in 2024 will surely contribute to create potentials for our businesses.
Canada companies will be updated with policies and geo-political contexts to better understand free trade agreements (FTAs) and tap on it to grow up and go global. Speakers from Canada, ASEAN and Vietnam’s governments will explain how FTAs might improve Canada economic links with ASEAN as well as how the region is important in Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy. The results of the CPTPP’s five years of implementation will be presented by Dr. Quynh Tran from the Vietnam Trade Office in Canada, who will also discuss how British Colombia businesses may use it to better source, sell, and partner in ASEAN. Several supporting mechanisms from the Ontario government to enterprises to diversify and improve the supply chain connection will be shared by the Ministry of Economic Development, Jobs Creation and Trade of Ontario.
Former Director of Market Integration, ASEAN Secretariat, Mr Trung Ho will examine how ASEAN has played a central role in multilateral trade liberalization and integration and how ongoing trade agreements with the region might open up new potentials. The CEO of CN Railways will also discuss the company’s achievements in Vietnam to inspire Canada businesses to take advantage of the region’s growing business prospects and CN Railways can provide logistics solutions for Canadian businesses who are exploring to work with the region.
The seminar is one of events honouring the 30th Anniversary of the Vietnam Trade Office in Canada and the 50th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Canada, as well as an excellent occasion to tightening the two countries’ economic ties.
The event is supported by the Canada-Vietnam Trade Council, the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs and others Ontario’s partners.
Seminar will be held from 9h30-12h, on 24th October, 2023 at: OITC, 250 Yonge St, 35th Floor. Seats are limited and by confirmation only.
Please scan the QR code below for the registration link, agenda and speakers’ profile. Or access direct at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/leverage-ftas-vietnam
