March 29, 2024 - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
On March 28, 2024, representatives and members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (CanCham) were invited to attend a reception at the Independence Palace as part of the Team Canada Trade Mission. The reception welcomed the presence of:
The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development
Ms. Phan Thi Thang - Deputy Minister, Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade,
Mr. Vo Van Hoan - Vice Chairman, People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City,
Ms. Annie Dubé - Consul General, Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City
Mr. Sven List - Senior Vice-President, Export Development Canada
attending the reception alongside the Minister and delegations were CanCham's Board of Directors:
Mr. Mike Hebert - President, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
Mr. Ismael Pili - Vice President, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
Mr. Matthew Mohr - Treasurer, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
Ms. Sarah Galeski - Secretary, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
Ms. Elizabeth Nguyen - Board member, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
Mr. David Paillé - Board member, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
Ms. Happy Nguyen - Board member, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
Ms. Winnie Lam - Board member, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
Ms. Venice Chan - Board member, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
Mr. Zach Herbers - Executive Director, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
Ms. Lan Phan - Executive Director, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
with over 400 distinguished guests from government officials, Canadian delegates, Vietnamese business stakesholders and CanCham's members.
To start off the reception, Mr. Mike Hebert gave an opening speech, welcoming the Minister and delegations to Vietnam as well as announce the reception.
"The mission of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam is to support connections and the development of opportunities between our two great countries, which has grown significantly over the past 2 years.
As Canada’s business association in Vietnam for over 20 years, we are proud to be a voice and a home for Canadian companies doing business in Vietnam, as well as those who are looking to enter Vietnam for the first time, and for Vietnamese businesses to develop business with Canada.
The Team Canada Trade Mission to Vietnam is a testament to the strength of this bilateral relationship, with more than 300 delegates from Canada here on the ground."
Speaking at the reception, Minister Ng shared a few words on the vision and initiative and main goal for the Team Canada Trade Mission (TCTM), highlighted the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in Vietnam and also commented on the importance for the trade mission delegates to learn more about CPTPP-related customs requirements to help increase Canadian exports to Vietnam.
On behalf of the Government of Vietnam, Ms. Phan Thi Thang, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Ministry of Industry and Trade also delivered remarks at the reception stating the strong bond between Vietnam and Canada as well as the opportunities for Canadian enterprises to learn more about Vietnam's investment and business environments through trade missions. Hence, strengthen the trade and economic ties between two countries.
As part of the opening ceremony and on behalf of the government of Ho Chi Minh City, the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City - Mr. Vo Van Hoan emphasized on the importance of cooperation between Vietnam and Canada, and more specifically Ho Chi Minh City and Canada.
During the reception, the Minister also announced the opening of Export Development Canada’s first office in Vietnam. The new office will help Canadian exporters and investors navigate and benefit from the fast-growing Indo-Pacific market.
CanCham Vietnam is honoured to be able to take part in such a dynamic event and unique experience as well as looking forward to future opportunities to create more meaningful events to support and foster bilateral relations between the two countries.
Canada launched its Indo-Pacific Strategy, prioritizing growing our economic ties and business relationships in November 2022. Under the initiative of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, since the first kicked off of the first Team Canada Trade mission to Singapore, with over 175 businesses in attendance in February, 2023 until now Team Canada Trade Mission has reached many countries and cities, helping both Canadian and local businesses, to establish valuable connections with key players.
During the period from March 24 to 29, 2024, the Team Canada Trade Mission, led by the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development with 200+ delegates - the biggest delegation from Canada ever seen made a stop in Vietnam. The activities in Ho Chi Minh City for the delegation included a Guided Discussion with CanCham's Board of Directors and members, Dialogue with Ho Chi Minh City Customs, Canada - Vietnam Business Connection Program, MoU signing between CAE and Vietnam Airlines and finally the reception itself to mark the end of another successful mission.
More photos from the event can be found here: Team Canada Trade Mission Photos Gallery
Background:
Team Canada Trade Missions are Minister-led, enhanced trade missions to the Indo-Pacific region tied to Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy. These trade missions prioritize innovation sectors and seek to open doors for Canadian companies, from large and diverse businesses to SMEs led by groups traditionally underrepresented in trade, such as:
women
Indigenous Peoples
Black and other racialized Canadians
2SLGBTQI+
youth
The Team Canada model also welcomes the participation of:
provinces and territories
municipalities
other government departments
trade portfolio partners
chambers of commerce
trade and industry associations
all coming together under a high-profile, "whole of Canada" approach.
Quick Facts:
Vietnam is Canada's largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and one of the world's fastest growing economies and presents a wide array of commercial opportunities for Canadian businesses.
In 2022, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Vietnam totaled $13.8 billion, up from $10.5 billion in 2021 and $8.9 billion in 2020, comprised mainly of imports from Vietnam (approximately 93% of the total).
Bilateral commercial exchanges between Canada and Malaysia and Vietnam are bolstered by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The TCTM will provide a valuable opportunity for Canadian businesses to further grow their exports into these key markets and benefit from the increased market access provided by the CPTPP.
Source:
Global Affairs Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/03/minister-ng-strengthens-trade-relations-with-vietnam-as-team-canada-trade-mission-concludes.html