Canada Forging New Trade Relationships With Vietnam

To forge new trade relationships and build bilateral trade and education links.

A delegation of transportation and education officials from Atlantic Canada will travel to Vietnam from November 29 to December 3, 2009

The trade mission is being organized by the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and includes pre-arranged one-on-one meetings between participating Atlantic Canadian delegates and key transportation and education stakeholders in Vietnam.

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, today unveiled details of the upcoming mission.

“The Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces understand Atlantic Canada’s strategic position as a key corridor for international commerce,” said Minister MacKay. “We recognize the tremendous potential of Canada’s Atlantic Gateway to enhance our region’s and the country’s trade competitiveness and economic performance. This mission is critical for growing trade by promoting the benefits of Canada’s Atlantic Gateway to leading transportation stakeholders in Vietnam, one of the fastest growing economies in the world, second only to China.”

The mission provides an opportunity to promote Atlantic Canada to decision makers in Vietnam and to forge new relations in this emerging global market.

“This mission will help facilitate business and educational linkages and opportunities between our region and this burgeoning economy. Nova Scotia has already established some important relationships in Vietnam. We intend to build on them and others during the mission,” said Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter. “I will be working hard in Vietnam to support all of the delegates to make sure we capitalize on any future economic opportunities that will benefit the economy of Nova Scotia and all of Atlantic Canada.”

Vietnam’s rapidly expanding economy, averaging a growth rate of 7.2% in recent years, has resulted in a steady increase in bilateral merchandise trade between the Southeast Asian country and Canada. Trade between Canada and Vietnam surpassed an all-time high of C$1.3 billion in 2008, up 21.3% from 2007, and five times greater than the 1997 volume.

Vietnam is now investing heavily in its port infrastructure to handle greater volumes of cargo and to berth larger ships. The increase in Vietnam’s container capacity creates tremendous growth potential for Atlantic Canada shippers. Among the objectives of Canada’s Atlantic Gateway mission is to pursue twinning opportunities between Atlantic Canadian and Vietnamese ports.

The transportation component of the trade mission will focus on a series of business-to-business meetings, port tours and networking events, aimed at increasing trade flows through Canada’s Atlantic Gateway.

The transportation sector participants include representatives from the ports of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Dalhousie, New Brunswick, as well as the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, CN and the Atlantic Gateway Advisory Council.

Another component of the mission is aimed at increasing Vietnamese student enrolment at Atlantic Canada’s post- secondary schools. Approximately 25,000 Vietnamese students study abroad each year. In 2007, Canada’s Embassy and Consulate General in Vietnam launched an education campaign to increase the number of Vietnamese students selecting Canada as their top choice for an international education.

Universities represented on this mission include St. Mary’s University, the University of Prince Edward Island and Dalhousie University. EduNova – the industry association for Nova Scotia’s educational sector with the mandate of promoting the province’s education and training programs abroad – is also taking part. The Atlantic Canadian delegation members will be promoting their universities to education officials in Vietnam during school visits, presentations and discussions.

Financial assistance for this trade initiative is provided by ACOA through its Business Development Program.
The program supports projects that promote entrepreneurship development, training, and marketing and export development.

For more information about Canada’s Atlantic Gateway, please visit: www.atlanticgateway.gc.ca.

Topics: ACOA, Atlantic Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, bilateral trade, Canada, Governance, government, Vietnam

 Print This Article in Plain Text

Latest Headlines

• President Obama Hosts Taoiseach Of Ireland Brian Cowen
• Edinburgh Council Steps Up To Communal Stair Security
• White House Highlights U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Fights Financial Reform
• Cancer Patients In Edinburgh To Receive Benefits And Grants To Cope With Financial Burden
• White House: Without Health Care Reform Expect Premiums To Skyrocket
• Edinburgh To Begin Search To Replace 3 Top Council Members Who Are Retiring
• Creative Scotland Moves Home Base To Edinburgh
• UK Releases Health Care Statistics On Referral To Treatment Services “RTT”
• Illinois Moves Primary Election From February To March
• Nissan Brings The Leaf To UK Creating 550 Jobs
• UK Government Boost Funding For Disabled Children
• New York Governor Proposes To Cap State Spending And Property Taxes
• Florida Looks To Increase Business Investments For Port Projects
• U.S. Loan Modification Program Still Not Working Smoothly
• Nova Scotia Celebrates Local Culture And Heritage With Pictou Landing Powwow

In The News

Canada Announces Funding For The 147th Antigonish Highland Games

On behalf of the Honourable James

Canada Expanding Trade Relations With South Africa

The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister

Scotland To Create Confidential Helpline For Men Being Abused

A new service is being set

What Is The Future For Scotland’s Public Information Notices “PIN”

Legislation enabling councils to use online

£34 Million To Make Welsh Homes More Energy Efficient

The Welsh Assembly Government plans to