VANCOUVER: The new Liberal government wants to pursue free trade with the dynamic and fast-growing Asia Pacific region, Trade Minister Roy Mac Laren says.
In his first public speech since assuming office Nov.4, Mac Laren told the annual meeting of the Canada China Business Council Noy.12.
Canada can no longer afford to ignore what will be the fastest growing part of the world economy for years to come.
While the North American Free Trade Agreement would give Canadian companies access to another 90 million consumers in Mexico, free trade with the Asia Pacific region would give them access to a market 20 times larger, he said.
Moreover, while traditional markets such as the United States and Europe are mired in slow growth, many Asian countries are surging ahead with double-digit growth rates.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 19, 1993
