Canada Promotes Solid Economic Performance to Global Business Leaders in London

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Aug 09, 2012

 Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, has concluded a four-day trade and investment visit to London, where he promoted Canada’s strong economic fundamentals and world-leading investment advantages.  

"Our government’s top priority is the economy, and deepening Canada’s trade ties around the world and attracting new investment to our country plays an important role in creating jobs and keeping the economy strong," said Minister Fast at an investor conference organized in partnership with the Financial Times of London. "With our low taxes, strong, stable economy, generous research and development incentives, educated workforce and outstanding quality of life, Canada continues to be a great business partner for entrepreneurs and an investment destination of choice for global investors."

More than 20 other business events with pan-Canadian representation are taking place at Canada House in Trafalgar Square. These events showcase Canada’s business strengths and competitive advantages to business leaders and aim to bring new job-creating investments to Canada.

"Attracting new foreign investment to Canada by telling our country’s story of economic excellence and pro-trade leadership is a key part of our government’s Economic Action Plan," said Minister Fast. "With one in ten Canadian jobs linked to foreign investment, we know that attracting new investment creates jobs and prosperity for Canadian businesses, workers and families."

While in the United Kingdom, Minister Fast met with key counterparts, including Vince Cable, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and President of the Board of Trade, and Stephen Green, the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Trade and Investment, to discuss bilateral relations and to review progress on the science, technology and entrepreneurship joint innovation statement that was signed last May in Montréal. The Minister also met with Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, responsible for North America, and Joe Costello, Ireland’s Minister of State for Trade and Development, to discuss bilateral trade relations.

In these meetings, Minister Fast and his counterparts reiterated a shared commitment to a successful conclusion to the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

"During my meetings with my trade counterparts, we agreed that the best way to deepen our robust trade and investment relationships is to conclude negotiations on a broad and comprehensive Canada-EU trade agreement," said Minister Fast. "Such an agreement will take the Canada-EU trade and investment relationship to the next level and bring jobs, growth and long-term prosperity to hard-working people in both Canada and the EU."

At the entrance to Canada Olympic House, the Minister watched striking digital displays featuring Christie MicroTiles and Christie Entero LED rear projection cubes and toured a Boris Bikes facility, so named after London Mayor Boris Johnson. The 8,000 bicycles and 570 docking stations are modelled on Canada’s BIXI public bicycle rental system, with components and bikes manufactured by companies located in Quebec. Both initiatives are raising the visibility of Canadian innovation during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"Our partnership with the Government of Canada has provided unparalleled visibility for our MicroTile technology," said Kathryn Cress, Vice President of Global and Corporate Marketing at Christie. "The digital displays at Canada Olympic House are a great example of cutting-edge Canadian technology."

Canada and the United Kingdom share an enduring and broadly based commercial relationship. Two-way merchandise trade reached $29.1 billion in 2011—a 7.5-percent increase over 2010—making the United Kingdom Canada’s largest trading partner in the European Union.

To find multilingual, comprehensive information on Canada’s many investment and business advantages, please consult Invest in Canada.

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