Ottawa (VNA) – New trade andinvestment opportunities in Vietnam were introduced to Canadian officials andbusinesses at a seminar in Ottawa on September 11.

The seminar marked the opening of Vietnam Weekin Canada from September 11 to 17 to celebrate Vietnam’s 73rd National Day and45 years of bilateral diplomatic ties.

It was attended by Donald Bobiash – AssistantDeputy Minister for Asia Pacific of Global Affairs of Canada, KathleenDonohue – executive director at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,Ladislau Papara – Regional Manager for Asia at the Export Development Canadaand Jacques Frémont – President of the University of Ottawa.

The Vietnamese side included Minister ofCulture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien, Vietnamese Ambassador to CanadaNguyen Duc Hoa and Trade Counsellor Do Thu Huong.

At the event, Assistant Deputy MinisterBobiash said trade ties between the two countries have improved and have roomto develop, especially once the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement forTrans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) takes effect.

He expressed his belief that Canada and Vietnamwill become important markets of each other, particularly in agriculture, hightechnology and electronic products.

༒[Infographics: Vietnam: Canada’s largest trade partner in ASEAN]

He told Vietnam News Agency that Canada hasproducts Vietnam needs, and Vietnam also has products his country wants.Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies, so Canada really wants toinvest in and trade with the Southeast Asian nation.

The implementation of the CPTPP will also helpreduce barriers and increase business opportunities for the countries’enterprises, the official added.

Ambassador Nguyen Duc Hoa said bilateralrelations, with much potential and existing strengths, are on an upward trend.However, there remain challenges that need to be addressed, such as limitedbusiness connectivity and mutual understanding. He voiced his belief thatthrough bilateral meetings and policy seminars, the two sides will expandsubstantive cooperation and investment opportunities.

Other participants noted the potential foreducational cooperation, describing this as an important field helpingfacilitate connections in other aspects. They said through educational ties,the countries can enhance people-to-people and cultural exchange and understandmore about each other’s regulations and policies to bolster relations.

In the future, the Canadian side will diversifyeducational cooperation activities such as increasing student exchange andcollaboration among schools and academies, introducing Canada’s educationalprogrammes to Vietnam, and partnering in research and development.

According to Bobiash, bilateral ties ineducation have grown fast in recent years, with an increasing number ofVietnamese students in Canada. There are more than 14,000 students from Vietnamin the North American country at present. –VNA