KUALA LUMPUR: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s leadership as Asean chair and reaffirmed his nation’s intent to deepen energy investment in the region.
A statement released by the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office said Carney had discussed with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim the Letter of Intent (LoI) signed between the two countries to deepen investment in liquified natural gas, oil, nuclear, and renewable energy.
This discussion was during bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, in which Carney also thanked Anwar for his leadership as Asean chair.
The LoI is part of Canada’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy, aimed at strengthening its energy security and economic resilience by diversifying trade.
Carney said Canada’s economic direction must shift, highlighting recent global shifts in a divided world as to the impetus behind the strategy.
He highlighted Canada’s goal to double the country’s non-United States exports in the next decade, positioning Malaysia and Asean markets as key partners.
He also accelerated negotiations on a new Canada-Asean free trade agreement, supported by a US$25 million commitment in technical assistance for its implementation.
Meanwhile, Carney also held meetings with leaders of Laos, the Philippines, Vietnam and the European Council.
His visit included a stop at Canadian company CAE’s training facility, coinciding with a Malaysia Airlines agreement to procure a Canadian-built flight simulator.
He also met Petronas president and group chief executive Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Kamadjaja Aziz to explore further collaboration, including on the expansion of LNG Canada in Kitimat, British Columbia.
Canada additionally announced C$226,000 to expand the BlackBerry Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in Cyberjaya into an international innovation hub, marking another step in strengthening technological cooperation with Asean
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
