Prime Minister Mark Carney has concluded his first official visit to the Indo-Pacific region, strengthening Canada’s economic, trade, and security partnerships with ASEAN nations.
While attending the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Carney advanced negotiations toward a new Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement — a deal that could unlock billions in new trade opportunities and provide access to a regional market of nearly 700 million people. Canada will contribute $25 million in technical assistance to support ASEAN nations in implementing the agreement, which is expected to conclude in 2026.
The Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with leaders from Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, and the Philippines, announcing plans to launch separate free trade talks with the Philippines next year. Carney also oversaw agreements expanding cooperation in energy, including a Letter of Intent with Malaysia on LNG, oil, nuclear, and renewable investment.
In Kuala Lumpur, he toured CAE’s aviation training facility, where Malaysia Airlines signed a deal to purchase a Canadian-built flight simulator. He also announced $226,000 in funding to expand the BlackBerry Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence into an international security innovation hub.
Prime Minister Carney said the visit reflects Canada’s commitment to building a more resilient economy less dependent on a single trading partner.
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