Canada Looks to Vietnam for Expansion Opportunities

A delegation from Dalhousie University, led by Professor Binod Sundararajan, held a meeting with the Vietnam Trade Office in Canada to support students representing start-up businesses in Nova Scotia, Canada's East Coast, in exploring trade opportunities in Vietnam.

The event, jointly organized by Export Development Canada (EDC), Dalhousie University, and the Vietnam Trade Office in Canada, was among the activities aimed at realizing Canada’s commitment to diversifying markets and supply chains.

Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Canada, Tran Thu Quynh, stated:
"Fourteen business representatives, who are students from Dalhousie University, visited the Trade Office seeking support for business connections. These include not only young companies involved in traditional exports but also those in service exports—particularly technology services. Both Vietnam and Canada have significant demand and great potential for cooperation in these sectors."

At the event, students were briefed on how to leverage free trade agreements signed between Vietnam and Canada to optimize supply chains, production, and export channels. They also learned about Vietnam's potential as a logistics hub in Asia.

Professor Binod Sundararajan emphasized that Vietnam was chosen because it is one of the fastest-growing markets in Southeast Asia. He noted that Vietnam shows a high level of readiness for international trade—an essential factor for any emerging market.

Additionally, Vietnam’s open business environment presents promising prospects for business success.

Katie Haigh, who oversees international programs at Dalhousie University, remarked that since both countries are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), this presents an opportunity for Canada to explore markets beyond the U.S. The Vietnamese market—with its growing population and expanding middle class—is well-suited for Canadian products.

As part of their visit to Vietnam, the students—representing three large Canadian companies: Tangier Lobster, Victoria Fisheries, and SimplyCast—as well as the startup Celebrate Your Curves, will seek business partnerships through introductions facilitated by EDC, Canada’s export credit agency. EDC offers trade finance, export credit insurance, bonding services, and foreign market expertise.

Dalhousie University and EDC have collaborated for years in emerging markets such as Brazil, India, China, Chile, Peru, and Argentina. With EDC’s recent establishment of an office in Vietnam, the program is now expanding to Southeast Asia. This move reflects the growing interest of Canada’s academic and business communities in fostering cooperation in education and business, as well as in broader trade and investment with Vietnam.

Source: VNA