A delegation of transportation and education officials from Canada will visit Vietnam from November 29 to December 3, 2009 to boost bilateral education and trade ties.
“This visit will facilitate business and educational linkages and opportunities between the nations,” the Ha Noi Moi newspaper reported Nov 27, citing Honorable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defense and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.
Vietnam is now investing heavily in its port infrastructure development to handle greater volumes of cargo and to berth larger ships. The increase in Vietnam’s container capacity creates tremendous growth potential for Canada shippers, he added.
The mission will also focus on increasing Vietnamese student enrolments at Canada’s post-secondary schools.
In 2007, Canada’s Embassy and Consulate General in Vietnam launched an education campaign to increase the number of Vietnamese students.
Trade between Canada and Vietnam surpassed an all-time high of 1.3 billion Canadian dollars in 2008, up 21.3% from 2007, and five times greater than the 1997 volume.
