KOTA KINABALU: A bilateral meeting between Malaysia and Canada took place in Paris, France on Wednesday (June 28) on strengthening economic ties and cooperation in various sectors.

The Malaysian delegation was led by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry Datuk Ewon Benedick while Canada was represented by Arif Virani, Parliamentary Secretary to the International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development Minister.

During the meeting, they discussed Canada's interest to be an Asean partner country, as well as Malaysia's support for the Asean-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

They also discussed potential collaboration in micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) development, franchise, cooperative and environmental, social and governance (ESG) sectors, Benedick said in a statement on Thursday (June 29).

"Canada has expressed appreciation to Malaysia on its support for Canada to be an Asean partner country, and wish to further strengthen bilateral relationship with Malaysia.

"Canada also appreciated Malaysia's support and commitment to Asean-Canada FTA and CPTPP," said Benedick.

He said Malaysia had expressed interest to work closely with Canada in the areas of entrepreneurship, especially in market access and high growth sectors such as halal, electrical and electronic (E&E), medical devices, machinery and equipment and biotechnology.

Benedick shared that Canada agreed to work with Malaysia in MSME development, and mentioned semiconductors as one of the industries that the country is very interested to develop with Malaysia.

Canada also requested Malaysia to identify specific ESG elements that Malaysia wishes to work together on, he added.

He said both sides expressed their commitment to continue the dialogue and follow up on the areas of cooperation discussed during the meeting.

The Canada representative also informed that they would be establishing a trade mission office in the Philippines to strengthen cooperation with the South-East Asian countries, including Malaysia.

During the bilateral meeting, Benedick was joined by SME Corp chief executive Rizal Nainy and Bank Rakyat chief executive Dr Mohammad Hanis Osman.

Benedick was in Paris for a two-day working visit to attend the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) SME and Entrepreneurship Ministerial meeting from June 27 to 28.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/06/29/malaysia-canada-discuss-trade-entrepreneurship-opportunities-in-bilateral-meeting