Osaka, 28 October 2023: The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) discussed closer mutual cooperation at a bilateral meeting with the Canadian Ministry of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development on the sidelines of the G7 Trade Ministers Meeting in Osaka.

The discussion was led by Canada's Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development Mary Ng and ERIA President Professor Tetsuya Watanabe, who headed ERIA’s delegation. Talks centred around Canada’s new Indo-Pacific Strategy, launched last year. This strategy aims to support a more secure, prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable region, while protecting Canada’s national and economic security at home and abroad, and seeks to forge stronger cooperation with ERIA in that regard.

Minister Mary Ng underscored this interest with the appointment of Canada’s Trade Representative on Indo-Pacific in Jakarta and recommended that ERIA work closely with his office. She also mentioned her interest in women-led development in the ASEAN region and expressed her support for the works of ERIA on this issue.

Prof Watanabe shared ERIA's role in the region over the past 15 years, and the proposed expansion of its scope of activities and research areas in transforming into a common platform for policymakers, business actors, and start-ups to grow. He also introduced ERIA’s new Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC), and invited Canadian government representatives to visit when they are in the region.

President Watanabe assured all support to Canada on its engagement in ASEAN and Indo-Pacific. Both parties expressed their enthusiasm for engaging in closer relationships and forging partnerships in the future.