Open, transparent and rules-based multilateral trade and investment policies contribute to growth and prosperity for all Canadians and lead to high-value jobs for middle-class workers.
The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, will attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting from January 22 to 24, 2020, in Davos, Switzerland.
At the Forum, Minister Ng will lead Canada's continued efforts in reforming and strengthening the World Trade Organization (WTO). She will chair the Canada-led Ottawa Group on WTO reform and join the WTO mini-ministerial meeting hosted by Switzerland.
Minister Ng will also participate in WTO meetings focused on issues vital to Canadians and Canadian businesses, including investment facilitation, digital trade and e-commerce, and the Cairns Group on agriculture and agri-food exports.
She will engage international partners and global business leaders to showcase Canada as a key destination for international investors. Minister Ng will also promote Canada's leading businesses and innovators to the world.
Quotes
"An open, stable and rules-based multilateral system helps Canadian businesses succeed. I am looking forward to discussing ways we can improve international trade and advance Canadian businesses on the world stage."
- Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade
Quick facts
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Canada was one of the founding members of the WTO in 1995 and, before that, of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade-a system that can continue to benefit Canadian businesses and exporters. Today, the WTO has 164 members around the world.
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Canada is taking a leadership role in WTO reform through the Ottawa Group-a group of 12 like-minded WTO members convened by Canada in October 2018, committed to strengthening and modernizing the WTO.
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The objective of the Ottawa Group is to identify concrete ways the operation and functioning of the WTO could be enhanced and improved over the short, medium and long term.
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The World Economic Forum brings together the world's private, public and civil society leaders in collaborative activities focused on shaping global, regional and industry agendas.
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Minister Ng will be joined in Davos by Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance, and Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, each of whom will have their own program of meetings during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.
