MP Parm Gill Promotes Benefits of Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement and New Era in Canada-Korea Partnership

Member of Parliament, Parm Gill, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, spoke today about the successful trade mission of the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, who was leading a multi-sector trade mission to Seoul and Busan, South Korea. MP Gill announced that Minister Fast met with more than 100 delegates participating in the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement Forum in Seoul, organized by the Federation of Korean Industries and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Korea. Minister Fast met with his counterpart Yoon Sang-jick, South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, to highlight the enhanced opportunities in the bilateral trade and investment relationship since the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) entered into force on January 1, 2015. Producers, exporters and consumers all stand to benefit from the agreement, including its removal of tariffs in the industrial goods, agriculture and agri-food and fish and seafood sectors. The Ministers also reviewed the development of the Canada-Korea Strategic Partnership announced recently by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye, which will build stronger relations in key areas of common interest. MP Gill went on to note that “this historic trade agreement represents our Conservative Government’s focus on creating jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity. With one in five Canadian jobs dependant on export, CKFTA is projected to increase Canadian merchandise exports to South Korea by 32 percent and boost Canada’s economy by $1.7 billion.”