Canada will open an export development office in Jakarta and has appointed a trade representative for the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions to help Canadian companies enter new markets in the area, announced Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today in the Indonesian capital.

“It is really important for Canadian businesses and exporters to grow in this region, as doing so means good jobs back home,” said International Trade Minister Mary Ng at a press conference in Jakarta.

Additionally, the Indonesian capital will be the headquarters of Canada's new trade representative, Paul Tobin, Ng added.

Trudeau arrived in Jakarta earlier today, committing to continue developing relations between Canada and Indonesia, the largest country in Southeast Asia by population and economic size.

The Canadian Prime Minister also paid an official visit to Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the presidential palace in Jakarta.

The meeting between the two leaders focused on the growing relations between their countries, which Canada sees as essential to enhance its diplomatic and commercial presence in the Indian and Pacific region.

Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia by population and economic size, and the image is of an economic district in its capital, Jakarta.

Canada's appointment of a trade representative in the region falls under the “Indo-Pacific Strategy” published by Trudeau's liberal government last November.

Canada is betting on the rapidly growing Southeast Asia region to diversify its economic markets and balance China's influence in it.

Trudeau, who is accompanied on the visit by his 15-year-old eldest son Xavier, stated that there will be five upcoming trade missions as part of the Indo-Pacific strategy, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

The Prime Minister put money on the table: $10 million over five years to help prevent future biological threats, such as another pandemic, and $13 million for sexual and reproductive health projects in Indonesia.

Additionally, Canada will lend Indonesia more than $100 million to build green infrastructure for clean water and solar energy.

Indonesia is one of the largest sources of biodiversity, as well as carbon emissions, in the world.

In 2022, Indonesia was Canada's nineteenth largest trading partner globally and third among Southeast Asian countries, with total trade between the two countries amounting to $6.24 billion.

Canadian Prime Minister is set to deliver a speech tomorrow at the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, where this group of ten countries, which is gaining demographic weight and economic influence, is preparing to make Canada its latest strategic partner, reflecting the significant progress in trade relations between both sides.