[guavadelic]

OTTAWA — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has signed a trade agreement and a defence agreement with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Parliament Hill, as Canada expands its ties with Southeast Asia.

Subianto said on Parliament Hill that the agreements are “very important for us, very strategic economically.”

Indonesia’s population of 280 million people is younger than most, and the country is on track to be one of the five largest economies by 2050. It has been trying to wean itself off fossil fuels, as it copes with threats to its vast biodiversity.

The deal comes into effect next year, and should drop prices for Canadian wheat, potash, wood and soybeans, according to Carney’s office.

Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said the deal gives preferential access to Canada’s agriculture, energy, telecom, aerospace and defence sectors.

He also said Indonesia is looking “very seriously” at purchasing small modular nuclear reactors to help power remote islands. Canada is developing that technology, which aims to power remote and northern communities.

Subianto touted Canada’s legacy for fighting poverty through aid initiatives linked to health, agriculture and peacekeeping.

“We consider Canada to be a very responsible, mature, leading power of the West, but with great empathy for the concerns of the developing nations,” he said.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art...nt-signs-trade-deal-defence-pact-with-canada/

 

[kEiThZ]

 

[afransen]

Not encouraging for speedy implementation. It sounds like in the short term, the government should be focusing on infrastructure (training capacity, housing, etc.-- timely with the downturn in construction) and simplified procurements, with more off-the-shelf systems not requiring extensive customization/specifications. Not sure how much they can realistically shovel out the door in the near term short of pay increases and the like.

 

[kEiThZ]

As a former 3 CSD member I endorse this one....

Opinion: Canada faces a once-in-a-generation opportunity to stake a serious claim in space

As Ottawa announces historic levels of defence spending, wise investments into space systems would jump-start domestic industries and technologies while setting Canada up to lead in the future

www.theglobeandmail.com