Ottawa-The new Federal Minister for International Trade, manner Sidhu, says he wants to conclude agreements in South America, Southeast Asia, Africa and even elsewhere.
He also wants to convince the business community to use trade agreements already signed by Canada.
“My main role as the first seller of Canada is to be constantly looking for new markets of new markets and to open the doors to business people,” said Sidhu in an interview with the Canadian press. There are many calls because the nations want to conclude agreements with reliable and stable business partners. ”
Prime Minister Mark Carney told Dominic Leblanc to deal with trade between Canada and the United States. Mr. Sidhu must take care of all other countries.
Export and Development Canada mentions that the federal government has signed 15 trade agreements covering 51 countries. Canadian exporters can have preferential access to more than 1.5 billion customers.
Sidhu believes that Canadian companies should start to look beyond the United States, especially because of the trade war launched by the White House to the rest of the planet.
Before being minister, Sidhu was parliamentary secretary for the three sectors managed by Global Affairs Canada: aid, foreign trade and diplomacy.
It has already represented Canada to events aimed at promoting trade in Southeast Asia and conferences on security in the Caribbean.
Before embarking on the political scene, Mr. Sidhu directed a customs brokerage company.
The Minister intends to go to Brazil at a time when several countries in South America wish to relaunch negotiations between member countries of the South Common Market and Canada.
His predecessor Mary NG preferred the major commercial missions which required several months of preparation. Sidhu, he can fly away as a companion of business community leaders to go to a country or two.
He plans to take small delegations to his trips abroad. He wants to focus on specific regions, “no matter in South America, Indo-Pacific, Europe or Africa.”
“Companies have the impression of being heard, but they can participate in high-ranking meetings in the countries where we take them,” he says.
Mr. Sidhu minimized the chances of a bilateral trade agreement with the United Kingdom. Negotiations collapsed last year after the British blocked the sales of Canadian oxen treated with certain hormones.
A temporary agreement was implemented after Brexit. The United Kingdom is supposed to join a commercial block focused on the Pacific belt soon, observes Mr. Sidhu, who says that Canada is still open to a permanent agreement.
“If British and Canadian companies already have 99 % of the products, then if we conclude an agreement, you have to be sure to get as much as possible.”
The Minister also indicates that Canada could examine the conclusion “agree on specific sectors” with other countries.
“We become very creative to know how to open more doors,” he says.
Mr. Sidhu adds that Aiars Gloille Canada still examines how Mr. Carney’s decision to impose cuts on all ministries will affect foreign trade.
“We are going to adopt a targeted approach to target the sectors where we will have the best chances of success.”
The Canadian Council of Affairs urges the federal government to increase the number of sales representatives who can provide good contacts to companies wishing to export their products.
The Canadian government did not say if he was going to reduce the number of these officials, but Mr. Sidhu said he heard the message of the chambers of commerce on the great importance of these positions.
“It’s a question of return on investment. You have to examine the programs that work best for Canadian industry and Canadian workers, ”argues Sidhu. Several in the business community ignores that the service to sales representatives is there to help them. My mission is to help them better understand it. ”