1. Economic Ministers from the ten ASEAN Member States and the Canadian Deputy Minister of International Trade met on 25 August 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the Fourth AEM-Canada Consultations. The Consultations were co-chaired by H.E. Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade of Malaysia and Industry and Ms. Christine Hogan, Deputy Minister of International Trade of Canada.

2. The Meeting noted the developments in economic relations between ASEAN and Canada. According to Canadian statistics, two-way trade has grown significantly, reaching CAD 18.8 billion in 2014, which represents an increase of 10. 9 per cent from the previous year, and the highest level of two-way trade since the launch of the official Ministerial level dialogue between ASEAN and Canada. The stock of known Canadian foreign direct investment abroad in was CAD 7.96 billion in 2014. Canadian direct investment in ASEAN continues to exceed that in neighboring economies such as China, Hong Kong, Japan, and India.

3. The Meeting was pleased with the progress made in achieving the objectives of the 2014-2015 Work Plan to Implement the ASEAN-Canada Joint Declaration on Trade and Investment (JDTI). The ASEAN Ministers expressed their appreciation for Canada’s successful organisation of the ASEAN Next Generation CSR and Anti-Corruption Forum in February 2015 in Bali, which included private sector participation from ASEAN Member States. The Meeting noted on-going contributions to initiatives in support of the JDTI, such as the Singapore-based ASEAN Infrastructure Centre of Excellence.

4. The Meeting endorsed the 2016-2020 Work Plan to implement the ASEAN-Canada Joint Declaration on Trade and Investment. With the new Work Plan, ASEAN and Canada aim to double bilateral trade in goods, services and investment between the two Parties by 2020, through various activities in trade, investment and support of private sector initiatives.

5. The ASEAN Ministers welcomed Canada’s on-going preparations for the establishment of its Mission to ASEAN in 2015, to be headed by a new dedicated Ambassador. The ASEAN Ministers also noted Canada's preparations to open new diplomatic offices in Cambodia and Lao PDR, which will provide Canada with a resident diplomatic presence in all ten ASEAN Member States.

6. A dialogue with the Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) was held during the Consultations. The Meeting commended the Council for its contribution to promoting ASEAN-Canada trade and investment, and noted the successful organization of the 2nd ASEAN-Canada Business Forum in Bangkok in March 2015. The Meeting looked forward to the CABC’s active engagement in the Work Plan of the ASEAN-Canada Trade and Investment Joint Declaration for 2016-2020.

7. The ASEAN Ministers expressed appreciation for Canada’s continued support of ASEAN’s regional integration efforts, in particular the ASEAN Economic Community, and for its commitment to sectoral cooperation under the ASEAN-Canada Enhanced Partnership Program.  

List of Ministers

1. Ms. Tutiaty Abdul Wahab, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei Darussalam (representing The Hon. Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei Darussalam);

2. H.E. Pan Sorasak, Secretary of State for Commerce, Cambodia (representing H.E. Sun Chanthol, Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce, Cambodia);

3. Ms. Christine Hogan, Deputy Minister of International Trade, Canada;

4. Mrs Sondang Anggraini, Adviser to the Minister on Trade and Diplomacy, Ministry of Trade, Indonesia (representing H.E. Thomas Trikasih Lembong, Minister of Trade, Indonesia);

5. H.E. Mrs Khemmani Pholsena, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Lao PDR;

6. H.E. Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia;

7. H.E. Dr. Kan Zaw, Union Minister for National Planning and Economic Development, Myanmar;

8. H.E. Gregory L. Domingo, Secretary of Trade and Industry, the Philippines;

9. Ms Sulaimah Mahmood, Director, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore (representing H.E. Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore);

10. Mr Thawatchai Sophastienphong, Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand (representing H.E. Gen. Chatchai Sarikulya, Minister of Commerce, Thailand);

11. H.E. Nguyen Cam Tu, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Viet Nam (representing H.E. Vu Huy Hoang, Minister of Industry and Trade, Viet Nam);

12. H.E. Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of ASEAN.