Minister Fast Celebrates Canada’s Good Taste in Thailand

Market for world-class Canadian food products is expanding in fast-growing region

August 29, 2012 - Thailand - The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, (right) visits a display of Canadian food with Chairat Petchdakul, General Manager, Procurement Group (Fresh Food), Mall Group Co., Ltd. (left) and Wannee Poebaikul, General Manager, Global Trade Co., Ltd., an importer of Canadian cherries and blueberries. Minister Fast highlighted the growing trade relationship between Canada and Thailand, especially in the agriculture and agri-food sector, with the visit to Gourmet Market in Bangkok, which is wrapping up a very successful, two week-long promotion of Canadian food.

Canadian seafood, specialty items and confectionary, as well as such items as British Columbian cherries and blueberries, were on display at the Market in the Siam Paragon Shopping Centre, which is managed by the Mall Group, one of Thailand’s largest mall operators.

In 2011, Canada’s agri-food exports to Thailand grew 131.1 percent to reach $177.3 million. Thailand is Canada's largest trading partner in Southeast Asia with bilateral merchandise trade surpassing $3.5 billion in 2011, an increase of 14.8 percent over the previous year. In March 2011, Canada and Thailand announced the launch of exploratory discussions toward a free-trade agreement, with the objective of increasing trade and investment flows between the two countries.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
613-992-7332

Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
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