Bell Welcomes Federal Interest In Asian Trade
Saturday, March 3, 2012 @ 1:44 PM
Prince George, B.C. – The province’s Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation says he is pleased with the collaborative approach the federal government is taking on trade and looks forward to further pursuing B.C.’s interest in enhanced trade with Asia.
Pat Bell attended the annual meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for international trade in Ottawa this week, where Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s recent trip to China was discussed. One of the outcomes of the trip was the announcement of a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.
B.C. exports to markets in China, Japan, India and South Korea rose 23.3 per cent in 2011 over the previous year. However, potential exists for even greater growth in these markets, which is why the Province is so supportive of Canada’s expression of interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. This multilateral agreement will encompass a free trade zone of 950 million people with a combined gross domestic product of more than $28 trillion.
Bell says "We have seen trade with Asia as critical for some time, so I’m thrilled that progress has been made at the federal level to negotiate with Asian trading partners."
"This has been a very successful meeting, and a great deal of collaboration is underway with India and the E.U. It’s essential that we maintain the momentum.”
Comments
Go away already
And WHO benefits, BIG BUSINESS! No work here for the average……….
Free trade with China? Absolutely ridiculous unless you want to compete with $2 a day labor and non existent environmental laws.
Calling for free trade with the lowest common denominator in labor and environmental countries is treason to Canada IMO. I expect nothing less from politicians that are bought and paid for by multinational corporations.
Patty Bell, always fresh…never frozen.
Where is McEwen to tell us how good everything is ? Where are our Panda bears ?
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