Readouts
The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, yesterday spoke with Franck Riester, France's Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, to discuss economic recovery from COVID-19 and strengthen the two countries' trade relationship.
The ministers spoke about the many areas of commonality shared by Canada and France, including their commitment to the Paris Agreement and fighting climate change, as well as their work to advance artificial intelligence, clean technology, and innovation. The ministers agreed they should work closer together to benefit small businesses and workers in these sectors.
Following up on their conversation in September 2020, Minister Ng again highlighted the third anniversary of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the importance of rules-based international trade in overcoming challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Ng noted the launch of France's recent economic, social, and environmental recovery plan, and the two ministers discussed possible avenues for collaboration.
The ministers highlighted their respective countries' significant investments in ensuring that COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics are available and affordable for their citizens and equitably distributed to people around the world.
Minister Ng also offered her condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Nice.
