Canada Views FTA With ASEAN As Key To Inclusive, Robust Economic Growth

By Muhammad Faiz Baharin

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- Canada is optimistic that ongoing negotiations for an ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will unlock substantial economic opportunities for both regions, while advancing inclusive and rules-based growth.

The High Commission of Canada in Malaysia in a statement Thursday noted that the FTA is a key pillar in Canada’s broader engagement with Southeast Asia, as the country looks to deepen trade ties, enhance supply chain resilience, and support sustainable development across the Indo-Pacific.

It reflects a shared commitment to inclusive development, economic diversification, and sustainable digital transformation.

“Our strategic partnership, a bond has matured from a Dialogue Partnership into a robust Strategic Partnership that spans 48 years, is built on mutual trust, shared values, and a commitment to multilateralism.

Canada also welcomed Malaysia’s leadership as ASEAN Chair in 2025, noting that the chairmanship’s focus on inclusivity and sustainability aligns closely with Canada’s own Indo-Pacific Strategy. 

The strategy provides a clear framework to guide deeper collaboration across economic, digital, and security sectors, read the statement.

The high commission highlighted several ASEAN-Canada cooperation initiatives, including the SEED Canada-ASEAN Scholarships, the ASEAN-Canada Trust Fund, the Mitigation of Biological Threats Programme, and the Women, Peace and Security Project - all aimed at narrowing development gaps and empowering communities across the region.

“These initiatives demonstrate Canada’s commitment to ASEAN’s people-centred priorities, and to ensuring tangible, lasting benefits for communities across both regions,” said the statement.

In the digital realm, the high commission emphasised Canada’s goal to deepen engagement through ASEAN sectoral platforms such as the ASEAN Digital Senior Officials’ Meeting, which supports innovation, cyber capacity building, and digital economy development.

It highlighted the BlackBerry Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in Malaysia as a notable example of collaboration between a leading Canadian technology company and the Malaysian government, aimed at strengthening regional digital security and innovation capabilities.

The high commission also noted the importance of practical cooperation in border and trade facilitation, citing the CBSA Border Management Symposiums, which have supported regional efforts to enhance border integrity and legitimate trade flows.

Looking ahead to the 50th anniversary of Canada-ASEAN relations in 2027, the statement said both sides are working toward a more resilient, connected, and future-ready partnership, especially as ASEAN itself approaches its 60th founding anniversary.

“We’re keen to increase our sectoral engagement, to work more closely with ASEAN on important issues such as digital transformation, energy and food security,” according to the statement.

Earlier, Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand led her country’s delegation to ASEAN-Canada Post Ministerial Conference held alongside the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), here.

The session was also attended by Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, and foreign ministers from ASEAN member states as well as Timor-Leste which participated as an observer.

-- BERNAMA