The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development attended the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers (AEM) - Canada Consultation, in Indonesia.
Ahead of the AEM meeting, Minister Ng met with Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs, to hold the first meeting of the Canada-Indonesia Economic Task Force, which was agreed to during Minister Ng's last visit to Indonesia. The ministers agreed to advance shared priorities such as comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) negotiations, the development of a green airport in North Kalimantan, strategic investment in infrastructure projects and cooperation on food security and agriculture.
While in Jakarta, Minister Ng also met with Yaqut Qoumas, Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs, and advocated for restored access to the Indonesian market for Canadian halal products, including beef, and the recognition of Canadian halal certification bodies.
Minister Ng also met with Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and with Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Trade to advancing negotiations towards a Canada-Indonesia CEPA.
In Semarang, Minister Ng attended the 12th AEM - Canada Consultation. She reaffirmed Canada's support for ASEAN centrality and shared interest in a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, highlighting opportunities for cooperation under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Minister Ng thanked ASEAN and its member states for their ongoing support in finalizing the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership this year and advancing negotiations toward a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement.
She also had bilateral meetings with international partners including Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN whom she thanked the Secretary-General for his support in advancing negotiations toward a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement.
Minister Ng thanked Indonesia for hosting the 2023 ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting.
