 Identificación: 134424
Creado: 2008-12-10 10:00
Modificado: 2009-01-16 12:08
Refreshed: 2010-03-11 16:32
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Noticia(s) 44 de 193
Inaugural ASEAN-Canada Forum Sparks Important Discussions
What is ASEAN? The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was established in 1967, and now includes 10 member countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), and Cambodia. Its purpose is to promote the region’s economic, social, and cultural development, and also protect regional peace and stability.
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Suscripción al Boletín de IDRC
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Rohinton Medhora, IDRC's Vice-President, Programs, addresses forum participants. |
2008-12
Scholars, political representatives, and business people from across Canada and Southeast Asia discussed the opportunities and challenges posed by economic integration during the inaugural ASEAN-Canada Forum. The conference, “Regional Economic Integration: ASEAN and Canadian Perspectives,” took place in Singapore November 25–26 and was organized by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) with support from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
“Over the last decades ASEAN and Canada have worked together to build strong and positive relations. And going ahead, both partners have expressed interest in revitalizing mutual political, economic and culture relations,” said Ambassador K. Kesavapany, director of ISEAS, during his opening remarks.
The economic discussion comes at an important juncture – ASEAN states are embarking on an ambitious project to integrate their economies into a single economic community by 2015.
ASEAN participants wanted to learn from Canada’s experience with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). George Haynal, Vice-President of Bombardier Inc., spoke about the Canadian experience from a private sector perspective.
Canada’s High Commissioner to Singapore, David Sevigny ,also addressed participants.
Attending from IDRC were Rohinton Medhora, Vice-President, Programs, and Richard Fuchs, Diirector, Regional Office for Southeast and East Asia.
More broadly, the conference aimed to help build stronger economic, political, socio-cultural, and research links between the regions.
ASEAN is one Canada’s largest trading partners, with over $12 billion in two-way trade in 2006. Also, more than one million Canadians have roots in ASEAN countries, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
IDRC has played an important role in strengthening these ASEAN-Canada links – it has supported development research in the region since 1971.
View a webcast of the forum’s opening.
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Noticia(s) 44 de 193
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