Vietnam is becoming an attractive destination for Canadian manufacturing investments, serving as a gateway to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and broader Asia-Pacific markets.

Ashley Kanary, Director of Global Agri-Food at Export Development Canada (EDC), highlighted Canada’s strategy to diversify its export markets, focusing on agricultural and processed food products. Vietnam, with its strong bilateral and multilateral trade agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), stands out as a priority partner.

Canada’s strengths in agricultural exports, including wheat, grains, and seafood, align well with Vietnam’s agricultural sector, creating complementary trade opportunities rather than competition. Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Canada, Tran Thu Quynh, emphasized that shared trade agreements enable both nations to leverage cumulative rules of origin, enhancing the value of agricultural exports.

Infrastructure improvements in Vietnam, such as advanced seaports, road networks, and telecommunications, are key factors attracting Canadian businesses. Nathan Andrew Nelson, Director of Indo-Pacific Innovation at EDC, anticipates more Canadian companies establishing operations in Vietnam, not only for manufacturing but also as a processing hub for the agri-food sector.

This growing partnership positions Vietnam as a vital hub for Canadian enterprises aiming to expand their presence in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.

---