OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will attend the 20th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in Vladivostok , Russia , on September 8 and 9, 2012.
“Increased exports to the Asia Pacific region are vital to Canada ’s future prosperity,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Our Government is therefore aggressively pursuing agreements with countries in the area to give Canadian businesses an opportunity to compete in the fastest growing region in the world, and to generate jobs and growth here at home.”
APEC’s 21 member economies account for 56 percent of world G D P, 47 percent of global merchandise trade and 40 percent of the world’s population.
The APEC Leaders’ meeting will provide an opportunity for discussions in four priority areas: expanding trade and investment liberalization and increasing regional economic integration, strengthening food security, establishing reliable supply chains and fostering innovative growth.
The Government of Canada’s growing interest and engagement in the Asia-Pacific region is being enhanced by a number of important initiatives that aim to strengthen our trading partnerships with Asia economies, including: Canada ’s Asia-Pacific Gateway Corridor Initiative, Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, free trade negotiations with Japan and Korea , and the launch of free trade exploratory talks with Thailand .
Prime Minister Harper will also participate in the Bloomberg Canada-Asia D ialogue, which is taking place in Vancouver , ahead of the APEC Meeting, on September 6, 2012.
The D ialogue brings together some of Canada's most influential policy makers and executives to discuss business opportunities in Asia, challenges that lie ahead and the policies needed to take advantage of growing opportunities in the region.
For more information on the APEC, including the Leaders’ Meeting, consult http://www.international.gc.ca....