Readout
Yesterday, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, spoke with Ihor Petrashko, Ukraine's Minister for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture.
The ministers spoke about the importance of bilateral and global cooperation and coordination to build a strong global economic recovery from COVID-19.
They also discussed the modernization of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) and its potential benefits to people across Canada and Ukraine, particularly small businesses and women. Since the CUFTA entered into force in 2017, Canada-Ukraine 2-way bilateral trade has grown, totalling nearly $300 million in 2019. This has meant new opportunities for Canadian and Ukrainian businesses alike, and good jobs in both countries.
Minister Ng highlighted Canada's leadership on advancing rules-based international trade through the Ottawa Group on WTO reform. Both ministers look forward to continuing to work closely together to promote rules-based trade and strong supply chains. This work is essential to ensure people continue to have access to essential goods like food and medicine at this challenging time, as well as to ensure our recovery is sustainable and benefits everyone.
