(VOVWORLD) - The positive relationship between Canada and Vietnam has grown strongly every year, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Deborah Paul told the Vietnam News Agency in an interview prior to Tet, Vietnam’s lunar New Year Festival.
 Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, the UK, on November 2, 2021 (Photo: VNA) |
She affirmed that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 was another positive year for the two countries' expanding ties. Trade and investment is an important driver of Canada-Vietnam ties, she said, adding that Vietnam continues to be Canada’s largest trading partner in ASEAN.
From January to November last year, two-way trade surpassed the 2020 performance, reaching nearly 7.5 billion USD.
The positive momentum in bilateral relations was exemplified on several fronts, including a high-level dialogue between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at COP26 last November in the UK.
Last year the two countries reached an agreement on a three-year plan on defence cooperation. Canada has been shifting its collaboration with Vietnam to more targeted technical assistance focused on inclusive economic growth with an emphasis on gender equality.
Currently, key sectors of support include food safety, trade facilitation, public-private partnership, women’s economic empowerment, and support to SMEs, cooperatives and social impact business.