Leave a commentThe Honourable Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance), attended the annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), that took place May 10-11 in Istanbul, Turkey, and met with key political and business leaders to promote trade and investment.
“Canada’s strong economic and fiscal fundamentals make us a global leader in helping guide the investments made by institutions such as the EBRD,” said Minister Menzies.
Canada is a founding member and the eighth largest shareholder of the EBRD. Through its position on the EBRD’s Board of Directors and Board of Governors, Canada helps to set the institution’s agenda and provides oversight of its finances and operations.
“The EBRD is facing new challenges and opportunities as it undertakes the expansion of its operations into the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region,” said Minister Menzies. “We strongly support the EBRD’s mission of focusing on countries that have demonstrated a real commitment to economic and democratic reforms and to building market-oriented economies.”
Following the EBRD annual meeting, Minister Menzies will travel to Amman, Jordan, where he will meet with government and business leaders to promote Canada as a solid trading partner and destination for investment, and discuss ways that both governments can support small and medium-sized enterprises.
Economic Action Plan 2013 is helping Canadian businesses compete in the global economy by supporting Canada’s manufacturing sector, building on past investments in Canada’s infrastructure through the new Building Canada Plan, and introducing an innovative new program to match the skills training Canadians are receiving with the needs of employers. The Plan also opens new markets to Canadian exporters and encourages investment in Canada by keeping taxes low, reducing unnecessary red tape and removing barriers to trade.