This week, Minister Ng concluded visits to India, Israel, the West Bank, and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) to strengthen Canada's trade relationships with key partners. While working to grow and strengthen Canada's trade relationships abroad, Minister Ng unequivocally condemned in the strongest terms President Putin's unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, which is a direct challenge to the rules-based international order. She reaffirmed that Canada stands resolute against authoritarianism and with a free and democratic Ukraine, now and in the future.
In India, the Minister joined Minister Piyush Goyal, India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food and Public Distribution and Textiles for a Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment. The Ministers announced that they will relaunch negotiations towards a Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement - giving Canadian businesses greater access to India's fast-growing market of 1.4 billion consumers - and work towards a Canada-India Early Progress Trade Agreement as the first deliverable. The Minister also met with other government and business leaders to advance Canada-India trade relations and discussed opportunities to support job creation and economic growth.
Minister Ng also announced that following significant advocacy in recent months, India has agreed to the import of Canadian pulses without fumigation penalties, until finalization of a systems approach for Canadian pulses. This will mean fewer costs for Canadian pulse farmers and exporters, as well as more predictability and opportunity in the Indian market. She also advocated for greater access for Canadian cherries and lumber exports.
While in Israel, Minister Ng met with Orna Barbivai, Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry to discuss new partnerships between Canadian and Israeli companies made possible by the modernized Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA) and cooperation between Canada and Israel on supporting gender equality and women's economic empowerment. Minister Ng also met with Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Israel's Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, and announced a refreshed Canada-Israel science, technology and innovation partnership.
In the West Bank, Minister Ng met with Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Shtayyeh and took part in a roundtable with female Palestinian leaders in business, economy and trade, where she heard about the opportunities and challenges of their work in the West Bank and Gaza. The Minister applauded their innovation and leadership in the community, and discussed how Canadian-Palestinian trade can be strengthened.
In the U.A.E, the Minister met with senior Emirati Government and business leaders to create opportunities through trade, including during the Canada Arab Business Council's (CABC) Canada-Arab Business Forum. Minister Ng and Canada's Governor General, Mary Simon met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020, and His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade to discuss bilateral relations. The Minister also met with His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy to discuss Canada-UAE commercial relations, the negotiation of a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), and supporting SMEs to start up, scale up, and thrive in both countries and around the world. Finally, she and the Governor General launched Canada Day at Expo 2020.
As part of her meetings, Minister Ng underlined that greater economic engagement with partners provides opportunities to promote Canadian values, such as human rights, democracy, and mutual, inclusive economic development. She also affirmed that respect for human rights and support for minorities and underrepresented groups - including religious minorities, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ2S+ communities - lie at the heart of Canada's trade policies, and that trade can be a force of positive change.
