Canada Eyes Broader Bilateral Ties, Trade With Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- Canada is looking to expand bilateral ties and trade with Malaysia in sectors including agriculture, health, information and communications technology (ICT), artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and educational exchanges.
High Commissioner of Canada in Malaysia Jodi Robinson said Canada has much to offer, particularly in technology, and is keen for Canadian companies to invest in Malaysia and support local supply chains.
“Canada-Malaysia have had good relations since 1957, when Canada first recognised Malaya as a country, and that is the initial start of our relationship, though it was very focused on defence.
“In the last about 10 years, you've seen more of an uptake on the economic side, on the trade and investment,” she said on Bernama TV’s The Nation Diplomatic Dispatch programme recently.
On energy cooperation, Robinson said both countries had strengthened collaboration through a letter of intent (LOI) signed during the ASEAN Summit last year, covering investment in liquefied natural gas (LNG), oil, nuclear power, and renewable energy.
She noted that Petronas has already made significant investments in LNG projects in Canada, and expressed hope that more Canadian companies with expertise in water conservation technologies would enter the Malaysian market.
Robinson said Canada could also share its expertise in the safe management of nuclear energy and support a stable and sustainable supply chain of critical minerals for the semiconductor industry.
The high commissioner said AirAsia X’s recent purchase of 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft made in Mirabel, Canada, also underscored Canada’s role in Malaysia’s aerospace industry and highlighted its reliability as a diversified source in global supply chains.
“Even in the halal industry, there’s a lot of room for growth for Malaysia to export halal products to Canada with a significant Muslim population, particularly for niche products, whether in sauces, snacks, or dishes,” she said, noting that Canada has its own halal certification bodies.
Robinson encouraged companies to leverage the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), of which both countries are members, and focus on products with a longer shelf life.
On the recent easing of travel requirements for eligible Malaysians, Robinson said the move would help increase the number of Malaysian travellers to Canada.
“If you've had a Canadian visa in the last 10 years, or if you have a current, valid US visa, you can sign on (for the electronic travel authorisation, or eTA), and it'll take a few minutes,” she said.
Robinson described Malaysians as hospitable, highlighting the country's multiculturalism and diversity.
“Everywhere you go, Malaysians just open their doors and are so hospitable. Through my travels, there are so many people that I've met who have such a strong spirit, the multiculturalism, the diversity, and the hospitality across the board,” said Robinson, who is marking her two-year tenure in Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA
