Prime Minister concludes successful visit to Singapore and participation at ASEAN
November 15, 2018
Singapore
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded his visit to Singapore and his participation at the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Canada is committed to deepening ties with the Asia Pacific region in order to expand and diversify trade, attract global investment, and create good, middle class jobs at home.
As part of the third Canada-China Annual Leaders’ Dialogue, the Prime Minister met with the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Li Keqiang. The two leaders discussed how Canada and China can increase trade and commercial opportunities between the two countries, work more closely together to fight climate change and plastic pollution, and create more jobs for all our citizens.
At the ASEAN Working Lunch, the Prime Minister promoted Canada as a partner of choice for trade and investment, and stressed the importance of multilateral trade agreements that build a stronger middle class and benefit everyone. The Prime Minister also reiterated Canada’s desire to join the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus, which would allow Canada to expand cooperation on a wide range of economic, political, and security issues.
The Prime Minister met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Halimah Yacob of Singapore. The leaders discussed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the importance of the global rules-based trading system, and how countries need to come together more than ever to tackle common challenges. Canada and Singapore also exchanged two Memoranda of Understanding to enhance cooperation in the areas of cybersecurity smart cities.
While in Singapore, the Prime Minister announced the Canada-ASEAN Cooperation to Mitigate Biological Threats, as well as the expansion of Canada's successful Canadian Technology Accelerator program, with a new accelerator being launched in Singapore.
The Prime Minister also spoke to students and faculty at the National University of Singapore about the importance of a world community built on shared values, standards, and rules. He also met with Canadian students studying in Singapore.
The Prime Minister will now travel to Papua New Guinea for the last leg of his trip, to take part in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting.
Quotes
“I thank the Prime Minister and President of Singapore for their invitation to attend the 33rd ASEAN Summit, and congratulate them on their successful ASEAN events this past year. The relationship between Canada and Singapore will only deepen as the CPTPP comes into force and creates new opportunities and good, middle class jobs for people in both our countries.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“Canada is a leader in areas that matter most to ASEAN, from championing open and free trade to fighting climate change and promoting sustainable development. Canada’s presence as a guest of the Chair attests to our strong partnership with ASEAN and our desire to grow the partnership even more, for the benefit of Canadians and people in Southeast Asia alike.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- Bilateral relations between Canada and Singapore are wide-ranging and are built on areas of mutual interest, such as trade, science, technology, security, and defence.
- Canada and Singapore cooperate within multilateral fora such as APEC, the World Trade Organization, the Commonwealth, the United Nations and ASEAN.
- Singapore is Canada’s largest Southeast Asian destination for Canadian direct investment abroad and the largest source of foreign direct investment from the region.
- Canada has been a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN for over 40 years, and supports the organization’s efforts to enhance peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
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Associated Links
- Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- Strengthening the Canada-Singapore commercial relationship
- Prime Minister announces strengthened partnership with China
Strengthening the Canada-Singapore commercial relationship
November 15, 2018
Singapore
On the margins of the ASEAN Meeting, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to meet with companies in the region in order to draw attention to -- and encourage new investments in -- Canada.
The Prime Minister also made a focus of his visit to meet with and learn how to best support Canadian companies expanding their operations in the region.
Whether attracting international investment or helping open markets for Canadian businesses, creating jobs and growing the economy remained at the core of these conversations.
While in Singapore, the Prime Minister sat down with several global business leaders in bilateral meetings and as part of a financial roundtable discussion hosted by investment company Temasek. He promoted Canada as one of the best places to invest, and encouraged continued co-operation to deepen Canada’s trade and investment relationship with Singapore, ASEAN, and Asia.
The Prime Minister met with senior leadership from the following companies:
- Agrocorp: One of the world’s leading buyers of pulses and the first company to use Canada’s Global Skills Strategy visa program, Agrocorp today announced plans to invest $5 million in a new protein plant in Saskatchewan.
- CapitaLand: One of Asia’s largest real estate companies with a global portfolio that includes integrated developments, shopping malls, serviced residences, offices, homes, real estate investment trusts and funds. CapitaLand is headquartered in Singapore.
- DBS Bank: Among the largest banks in Asia, DBS Bank has strong business ties with Canadian financial institutions and offers Canadian-backed insurance products to their clients in East Asia.
- GIC: Singapore’s largest sovereign wealth fund and among the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world, GIC has co-invested with Canadian pension funds and invested in Canadian artificial intelligence companies.
- JTC Corporation: A real estate company based in Jurong, Singapore, that also offers industrial land, gardens and parks, factories, office space and housing.
- Keppel Corporation: One of Singapore’s largest conglomerates, Keppel Corporation’s subsidiaries include the world’s largest oil rig builder and several other offshore and marine, property, and infrastructure businesses. They are working with Export Development Canada (EDC) to promote the use of Canadian products in the company’s supply chain.
- Mapletree Investments: A real estate development, investment, and capital management company headquartered in Singapore, Mapletree Investments manages over $40 billion in global assets, including Canadian real estate.
- Olam International: The third largest agri-business in the world, Olam International operates in 70 countries and supplies sustainable agricultural and food products to tens of thousands of customers.
- Pavilion Energy: A major Singaporean energy company, Pavilion Energy supplies one-third of Singapore’s power and is a leading provider of clean energy and LNG.
- PSA: One of the world’s largest port operators, PSA recently made significant investments in British Columbia’s trade and transportation infrastructure.
- Razer: A global leader in gaming hardware and software, and one of the biggest brands in eSports, Razer has signaled interest in Canadian talent and technology.
- Singapore Power Group: One of Singapore’s largest corporations and a leading energy utilities company in Asia Pacific, Singapore Power Group has expressed interest in partnering with Canadian companies to offer smart grid solutions.
- Singapore Technologies Engineering: A global technology, defence, and engineering group, and among the largest companies listed on the Singapore Exchange, Singapore Technologies Engineering procures from Canadian aerospace and aviation industries and has expressed interest in Canadian smart cities technology and Canada’s Innovation Superclusters Initiative.
- Singtel: Singapore’s leading telecom company, Singtel serves over 685 million mobile customers around the world.
- Surbana Jurong: A Singapore-based consulting firm industrial and infrastructure development The company provides urban planning and design, development management, quantity surveying, waste management, engineering, project management, construction management, security, and water management solutions.
- Temasek: One of Singapore’s largest sovereign wealth funds, Temasek has billions of dollars of investment in Canada across a wide range of sectors and provinces, and has shown a strong interest in Canadian artificial intelligence.
The Prime Minister also spoke at the Singapore FinTech Forum during the Singapore FinTech Festival. He highlighted how Canadian FinTech companies are leaders in the industry – making investing easier and more accessible, and keeping banking up-to-date in the digital marketplace for people around the world. At the Forum, the Prime Minister announced the expansion of Canada's successful Canadian Technology Accelerator program, with a new accelerator being launched in Singapore.
The Prime Minister also attended the opening of a new office in Singapore for Canadian company Element AI. He highlighted how Canadian companies like Element AI are developing transformative technologies and positioning Canada as a world leader in artificial intelligence and deep learning.
The Prime Minister also met with representatives of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canada-ASEAN Business Council.
Quote
“The close relationship between Canada and Singapore has always been forward-looking – and now, with the CPTPP coming into force, that’s more true than ever. Canadian entrepreneurs are already setting Canada up for success in Singapore and other countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Our government will continue to strengthen existing partnerships, while opening the door to new markets and investment opportunities, to create good, middle class jobs for Canadians.”
—Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick facts
- Canada and Singapore are among 11 member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership.
- Singapore is the largest source of foreign direct investment from Southeast Asia to Canada and a top destination of Canadian investment within the region.
- Canadian direct investment in Singapore was $5.7 billion in 2017. Foreign direct investment in Canada from Singapore was $354 million in 2017, up from $321 million in 2016.
- Most of Canada's top financial institutions and some 150 Canadian firms have operations in Singapore.
- This is the third edition of the Singapore FinTech Festival, organized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). It is one of the largest of FinTech events and attracts more than 30,000 participants in various fields from over 100 countries. More than 5,000 companies were represented at the 2017 edition.
- This will be the first time that Canada has a pavilion at the Festival with attending representatives of some 20 Canadian companies from British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. The Canada FinTech Forum will provide Canadian companies with an opportunity to showcase their products and services as well as their technologies and innovations to a regional audience.
Associated links
Statement by the Prime Minister on Louis Riel Day
November 16, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Louis Riel Day:
“Today, we commemorate the life of Louis Riel, a dedicated Métis leader, politician, and the founder of the province of Manitoba.
“A champion for minority rights and the Métis Nation, Louis Riel played a key role in Canadian Confederation. He was a visionary who dreamed of a diverse and inclusive Canada. On Louis Riel Day, we reflect on his contributions to building the country we are all proud to call home.
“This summer, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Métis Nation leaders at the annual Crown-Métis Nation Summit. The Summit supports the Canada-Métis Nation Accord and helps advance Canada’s commitment to work with the Métis Nation and drive progress toward their vision of self-determination.
“As we continue to strengthen our relationship and build on our efforts of reconciliation, I encourage Canadians to reflect on the important contributions of the Métis people. We recognize the vital role they have played – and continue to play – in building Canada.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong
November 14, 2018
Singapore
Today, the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, on the margins of the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Singapore.
The leaders discussed the importance of the global rules-based trading system. Both Prime Ministers welcomed each other’s countries ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the coming into force of the CPTPP on December 30, 2018. Canada and Singapore are among the first six countries to ratify the agreement, which will bring economic benefits and good jobs to their respective countries.
The Prime Minister thanked his counterpart for the invitation to address the ASEAN Summit as Guest of the Chair. Participation at the Summit demonstrates the value Canada places on its engagement with ASEAN.
The two Prime Ministers also welcomed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding on Infrastructure and Smart Cities Collaboration, as well as on Cyber Security Cooperation.
November 17, 2018
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir bin Mohamad
November 17, 2018
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Prime Minister Trudeau met, for the first time, the new Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir bin Mohamad, on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting. Prime Minister Trudeau congratulated him on the smooth and orderly transfer of power after the May 9th general election. The Prime Ministers reaffirmed the strong economic and bilateral relations that exists between Canada and Malaysia, based on 60 years of diplomatic relations.
They also exchanged views on the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, recognizing the need for trade to be both free and fair. Canada is among the first six countries to ratify the agreement, which will bring economic benefits and good jobs to Canada.
Both Prime Ministers also welcomed the recent LNG Canada project in British Columbia - the largest private sector investment in Canadian history, of which Malaysia-owned Petronas is a key partner. They expressed their desire to build on this momentum to further strengthen commercial ties between Canada and Malaysia.
Prime Minister Trudeau expressed his support for Prime Minister Mahathir’s proposed reform agenda, aimed at strengthening human rights, rule of law, good governance and combatting corruption. He also expressed support on the recent elimination of the death penalty in Malaysia. Both Prime Ministers also spoke of the need to highlight diversity in their respective countries and of the challenges facing the Rohingya.
