Malaysia will kick-start its chairmanship of ASEAN in 2015 by hosting the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah from January 27 to 28. The Retreat is the first in the series of ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meetings and other Related Meetings under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship this year. During the Retreat, ASEAN Foreign Ministers are expected to discuss the priorities of ASEAN for 2015 and the ASEAN Community's Post-2015 Vision. The Foreign Ministers are expected to deliberate on important political, security and developmental issues crucial to ASEAN and its Member States. Among the major meetings that Malaysia will host under its stewardship are the 26th ASEAN Summit in April 2015 and the 27th ASEAN Summit in November 2015. Malaysia's theme for its chairpersonship of ASEAN is “Our People, Our Community, Our Vision”. ASEAN will also enter a very interesting phase in 2015 as the year marks the end of the period for implementation of the action plans contained in the three blueprints on political security, economy and socio-culture. A significant milestone for ASEAN in 2015 is

the realisation of the ASEAN Community as outlined in the “Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2009-2015” where all 10 members aim to achieve uniformity of rules and procedures and seamless physical, infrastructural and people-to-people connectivity. As Chair, Malaysia's key focus is to ensure that the priority measures and initiatives for the ASEAN Community are in place and the integration process continues progressively beyond 2015. Besides leading ASEAN to achieve these goals in 2015, Malaysia also sees, as equally important, efforts to develop the ASEAN Community's Post-2015 Vision as a guide for the community to further prosper and grow. According to the Jakarta-based ASEAN Secretariat, good progress has been made with the overall implementation rate of approximately 88% across the three pillars of ASEAN Community. Formed on Aug 8, 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, the membership of ASEAN has expanded to include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. More information on Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN in 2015 can also be obtained from web address: https://asean2015.gov.my

Malaysia's Chairmanship of ASEAN 2015

ASEAN News Volume 28 July-December 2014 ASEAN Committee in Ottawa (ACO) Newsletter

Inside this issue:

Malaysia’s

Chairmanship of

ASEAN 2015

1

Canada Keen to

Strengthen Ties

With ASEAN

2

Brunei Cultural Evening 2014 in Ottawa, Canada

3

Indonesia and

Canada Held

Their Fourth

Bilateral

Consultative

Meeting

4

Visit by the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malaysia

5

25th ASEAN

Summit and 9th

EAS Successfully

Held in

Myanmar

6

Philippines and

Canada

Reaffirm Ties at

2nd JCBC

Meeting, Concur

on Results-

Oriented

Priorities

7

Board of Trade of Thailand Visit to Canada, October 1-7, 2014

8

Vietnam and Canada Determined to Deepen Bilateral Cooperation

9

ASEAN Statistics

10-11

Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak received the gavel from President Thein Sein of Myanmar as they shook hands, indicating the handover of ASEAN Chairmanship to Malaysia

Page 2 ASEAN News

Canada Keen to Strengthen Ties

With ASEAN At the initiative of the Chair of the ASEAN

Committee in Ottawa (ACO), H.E. To Anh Dung,

Ambassador of Vietnam, a working lunch was held

on November 28, 2014 for the ACO Heads-of-

Mission. Ms. Susan Gregson, Assistant Deputy

Minister, Asia-Pacific, Department of Foreign

Affairs, Trade, and Development Canada, joined

the event as guest of honour. She was accompanied

by Mr. Peter MacArthur, Director General for

South, Southest Asia and Oceania Bureau.

The ADM began her presentation by confirming

that Canada is one of the longest standing Dialogue

Partners of ASEAN and the two sides are also key

economic partner of each other, with strong people-

to-people ties. She then reviewed Canada's

comprehensive engagement with ASEAN over the

year that cover issues like improving regional

security, increasing trade and investment

opportunities, and supporting ASEAN development

initiatives.

According to Ms. Gregson, over the past years,

Canada has taken specific steps to strengthen its ties

with the Association. That includes recent

announcement by the Honourable John Baird of

Canada's plan to establish a diplomatic mission and

decision to send a Canadian Ambassador to the

ASEAN. Following the opening of the Canadian

Embassy in Myanmar in August 2014, Canada also

has plans to open new diplomatic representation in

Laos and Cambodia by the next PMC to be hosted

by Malaysia, thus having diplomatic representation

in all 10 ASEAN member countries.

She added that the country committed an

additional funding of 14 million USD to help

address security issues of shared concern in

Southeast Asia and to enhance the ASEAN

connectivity agenda, while engaging in negotiations

on a new 2016-2020 ASEAN-Canada Plan of

Action.

According to Ms. Gregson, Canada considers

ASEAN a vitally important institution in Asia and

that Canada will remain a committed, responsible

and capable partner of ASEAN. She reiterated

Canada’s keen interest in becoming member to the

ASEAN-centered East Asian Summit that has

potential to take on ever more consequential role in

addressing complex challenges – economic, socio-

cultural, security – that Canada and Asia face

together, and expressed Canada's looking forward to

all ASEAN member states support in this regard.

The ACO HOMs welcomed Canada's increasing

engagement in Southeast Asia as well as initiatives

such as the establishment of Canada-ASEAN

Business Council in August 2012, the establishment

of diplomatic missions in all ASEAN countries, the

ASEAN Economic Ministers Roadshow to Canada

in Vancouver and Toronto in early June 2014, and

looked forward to seeing further commitment of

Canada to the region. The participants agreed on

measures to enhance interact between the ACO and

the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and

Development Canada in terms of business and trade,

politics, development assistance as well as

education developments.

On behalf of the ACO, H.E. To Anh Dung

expressed sincere appreciation to Ms. Susan

Gregson for joining the luncheon and offering

insights of Canada's policy toward the region.

Joining the luncheon were H.E. Dato' Hayati

Ismail of Malaysia, H.E. Hau Do Suan of Myanmar,

H.E. Pisan Manawapat of Thailand, H.E. Petronila

P. Garcia of the Philippines, H.E. Teuku Faizasyah

of Indonesia, and Mrs. Faadzilah Raheemah Safri of

Brunei Darussalam.

Assistant Deputy Minister Susan Gregson speaking

before the ASEAN HOMs

Page 3 ASEAN News

Brunei Cultural Evening 2014 in

Ottawa, Canada The Brunei Cultural Evening was held on

October 29, 2014 at the Shenkman Arts Centre in

Ottawa, Canada. The Guest of Honour was Mr.

Peter MacArthur, Director General at the

Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and

Development, Canada. Other guests at the event

included Heads of Embassies and High

Commissions in Ottawa, Canadian Government

officials, Canadian business groups, partners and

friends of the Brunei High Commission.

The program of the evening showcased a wide

range of opportunities Brunei Darussalam has to

offer – in the area of business, trade, defence,

education and tourism. The BCE 2014 presented

corporate videos and information briefings on

Brunei Tourism, Royal Brunei, business

opportunities, Brunei Halal products, scholarship

and study opportunities at UBD, UNISSA and ITB

and the Brunei Darussalam International Defence

Exhibition and Conference (BRIDEX) 2015.

During the reception, guests were served with

Brunei Halal Buns and Spring Rolls – courtesy of

Ghanim International Corporation. The evening

proved to be an excellent opportunity for the

Canadian public, particularly food importers and

distributors, to taste some of Brunei Halal

products.

The strategic advantage of setting up business in

Brunei, where already two Canadian companies,

CAE and Viva Pharmaceuticals, have taken

advantage of was the key message at the business

booth.

The Guest of Honour, Director General Peter

MacArthur, acknowledged the importance of

continuous consultations between the Brunei

Government and Canadian companies in fostering

strong relations. These efforts have produced

successful ventures like the CAE-Brunei MPTC and

Simpor Pharma Sdn Bhd. There are other business

opportunities in Brunei, and the Brunei Economic

Development Board is tasked to facilitate foreign

companies interested to call Brunei their home.

In his remarks, High Commissioner Colonel

(Retired) Pg Kamal Bashah Pg Ahmad expressed

his words of sympathy to the Canadian Government

and People following the Ottawa Shooting incident

that took place a week before the event. The High

Commissioner also reaffirmed the importance of

Brunei’s bilateral relations with Canada and

believed that it would continue to strengthen,

deepen and grow.

Finally, the special screening of Yasmine movie

received many positive comments from the guests.

They were fascinated by the beautiful landscapes in

Brunei and pleasantly surprised at the standard of

film. Delivering its objective, the BCE brought

Brunei closer to the Canadian public – creating

better awareness about the social and cultural

lifestyle in Brunei Darussalam.

Director General Peter MacArthur visiting the booths

Brunei Tourism Booth

Page 4 Volume 28

Indonesia and Canada Held Their

Fourth Bilateral Consultative

Meeting

Indonesia and Canada held the fourth bilateral

consultative meeting in Jakarta on August 5, 2014

where both delegations was led by their respective

Foreign Ministers. The meeting took place at the

“Pancasila” building, an historical structure at the

Indonesian Foreign Ministry.

Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and his

Canadian counterpart, the Hon. John Baird,

reviewed the development of bilateral relations

and discussed the ways forward to strengthen

them. The meeting was held in cordial

atmosphere, where both delegations shared

valuable vision on how to deepen cooperation

further.

Following the meeting, the Ministers signed

the Indonesia – Canada Plan of Action 2014 –

2019, that serves as a road map for enhancing

bilateral relations encompassing cooperation in

the political; defense and security; economic;

socio-cultural, scientific, technological and

educational cooperation. The Plan of Action will

be reviewed regularly under the annual bilateral

forum.

Prior to the Ministerial level meeting, a Senior

Officials Meeting and the first Commercial

Dialogue were held on August 4, 2014. The

Commercial Dialogue were attended by

representatives of the private sector, i.e.

Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

and the Indonesia Canada Chamber of Commerce,

which discussed efforts to increase trade and

investment relations.

Indonesia and Canada have enjoyed mutually

beneficial relationship since diplomatic relations

was established in 1952. In the economic area,

trade exchanges showed an increase from

CAD3.0 billion (2012) to CAD3.28 billion (2013)

and CAD3.17 (January – November 2014).

Likewise, Indonesia is the main destination of

Canadian investment in Southeast Asia that

registered at CAD3.2 billion in 2013. Indonesia

and Canada are also engaged in development

cooperation in the areas of governance,

environment and small and medium enterprise.

Both countries also shared similar opinion on the

importance of increased people-to-people contact

through education and tourism sectors (KBRI).

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Dr. Marty Natalegawa and Canadian Foreign Minister, the Hon.

John Baird, at a press briefing in Jakarta, on August 5, 2014.

Page 5 ASEAN News

Visit by the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malaysia

The Honourable Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima

Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia, Speaker of the House of

Representative Parliament of Malaysia made an

official visit to Ottawa and Toronto from December

1 to 4, 2014. The visit was at the invitation of his

counterpart, the Honourable Andrew Scheer,

Speaker of the House of Commons, Parliament of

Canada.

The Speaker was also accompanied by six

(6) Members of Parliament from both sides of the

House. They were:

Hon. Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Abdul Ghapur

bin Salleh [Barisan Nasional - Kalabakan]

Hon. Tuan Haji Hasbi bin Haji Habibollah

[Barisan Nasional - Limbang]

Hon. Datuk Rozman bin Isli [Barisan Nasional -

Labuan]

Hon. Abdullah Sani bin Abdul Hamid [People’s

Justice Parti (PKR) - Kuala Langat]

Hon. Kasthuriraani A/P Patto [Democratic

Action Party (DAP) - Batu Kawan]

Hon. Dato’ Dr. Mujahid bin Haji Yusof Rawa

[Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) - Parit Buntar]

The delegation was also received by the newly-

appointed Speaker of the Senate, The Honourable

Pierre-Claude Nolin. This was the first foreign

delegation received by Speaker Nolin.

On December 2, 2014, at the meeting with

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance,

Andrew Saxton M.P. who is also the chair of

Canada-Malaysia Parliamentary Friendship Group,

the Malaysian chapter of the Parliamentary

Friendship Group was established. The purpose of

the Group is to work for a greater friendship and

goodwill between parliamentarians of Malaysia and

Canada and thereby serve to further cooperation

between national parliaments of both countries.

The delegation also had meetings with the

Honourable Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary

Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the

Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and

Agri-Food and the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister

of Fisheries and Oceans.

In Toronto, the delegation was received by the

Honourable Dave Levac, Speaker of the Legislative

Assembly of Ontario and had the opportunity to

tour the Legislative Assembly building as well as

observing the proceeding of the legislative session.

Page 6 Volume 28

25th ASEAN Summit and 9th EAS

Successfully Held in Myanmar

Myanmar hosted the 25th ASEAN Summit in

Nay Pyi Taw from November 12 to 13, 2014 under

the theme of “Moving Forward in Unity to a

Peaceful and Prosperous Community”. The

Summit focused on strengthening ASEAN

institutions and ASEAN-led mechanisms in the

evolving regional architecture, maintaining and

enhancing ASEAN centrality, developing the

ASEAN Community’s Post-2015 Vision. The

leaders also exchanged their views on regional and

international issues and strengthening external

relations and partnerships.

The Summit adopted the Nay Pyi Taw

Declaration which endorses the Consolidated

Central Elements of the ASEAN Community’s

Post-2015 Vision. Declaration on Strengthening of

ASEAN Secretariat and Reviewing of ASEAN

Organs was also adopted with a view to enhancing

the capacity of ASEAN in seizing opportunities

presented and addressing challenges confronting

the region. ASEAN Joint Statement on Climate

Change 2014 was also adopted. With the initiative

of the Chair and full support by ASEAN members,

ASEAN Institute for Green Economy was

established. Based in Yangon, the Institute will

conduct, among others, research and develop

methods for environmental conservation.

The 9th East Asia Summit was also held in Nay

Pyi Taw on November 13, 2014. The Chair’s

Statement issued at the end of the Summit

reaffirmed the importance of the EAS as a

Leader-led Forum for strategic dialogue and

cooperation on political, security, economic and

social issues of common regional concern and a

range of complex challenges facing the region.

Leaders of the Summit reiterated their commitment

to the mandate of the EAS and to enhance

cooperation in its priority areas, namely, finance,

environment and energy, education, global health

issues and pandemic diseases, disaster

management, and ASEAN Connectivity. They

further reiterated their support for ASEAN’s

central role in the EAS and its commitment to

working closely with regional partners.

The 9th EAS adopted Declaration on

Combating Wildlife Trafficking; Statements on

Rapid Disaster Response and on the Rise of

Violence and Brutality Committed by Terrorist/

Extremist Organizations in Iraq and Syria.

The Chairmanship of ASEAN was handed over

by President U Thein Sein to Prime Minister Najib

Razak of Malaysia for 2015.

Page 7 ASEAN News

Philippines and Canada Reaffirm

Ties at 2nd JCBC Meeting, Concur

on Results-Oriented Priorities The Philippines and Canada convened in Ottawa on November 25, 2014 the second meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), a formal mechanism enabling both countries to steer political, security, development and economic relations on the basis of mutually-beneficial interests and intersecting priorities.

Taking stock of Philippines-Canada friendship over the past 65 years, the Philippine delegation, led by DFA Undersecretary for Policy Evan P. Garcia, observed that bilateral relations have followed an upward trajectory supported by expanding trade and investments, increasing official exchanges and people-to-people ties, stronger development cooperation as well as growing political and security relations at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.

The JCBC’s working groups on Political, Security and Bilateral Cooperation, Joint Economic Cooperation and Development Cooperation conferred on the broad range of existing and potential partnerships.

Discussions on political, security and bilateral cooperation affirmed the commitment of both sides to collaborate in counter-terrorism, disaster risk management and occupational health and safety. Undersecretary Garcia also articulated Philippine perspectives on community building in ASEAN, Philippine support for Canada’s proposed inclusion in the East Asian Summit and Philippine as next country coordinator for the ASEAN-Canada dialogue as well as incoming chair of APEC in 2015.

On economic cooperation, the Philippines appreciated its designation by Canada as a priority country under the latter’s Global Markets Action Plan (GMAP) and looked forward to Canadian initiatives to operationalize the Philippines’ new status. The JCBC welcomed the signing of the Joint Statement and Plan of Action between the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) and hoped to see more educational partnerships encouraging brain circulation. Canada looked forward to receiving a

bigger delegation from the Philippines to promote Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and offered its guidance and support in this area. Both sides affirmed their openness to consultations on labor and immigration concerns. On agriculture, further discussions are expected on market access and on new proposals on agricultural biotechnology.

Canada is a close friend and active partner who has stood by the Philippines for the past six decades. Canada was among the first countries to offer humanitarian assistance to the Philippines in the aftermath of recent natural disasters that hit the country including typhoons Haiyan and Glenda, and the Bohol earthquake. Canada has also provided humanitarian assistance in post-conflict areas and supported the Philippines’ peace process and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, particularly in the establishment of the Independent Policing Commission for the Bangsamoro. Bilateral development cooperation was given a further boost this year with the designation of the Philippines as a Country of Focus for Canadian development assistance. In this

regard, both countries agreed to develop a Mutual Accountability Framework to foster accountability and co-ownership of

programs. The JCBC will also explore innovative financing for development, including incentivizing investments in disaster risk management.

Prior to the Second JCBC Meeting, Undersecretary Evan Garcia participated in the Sixth Annual Halifax International Security Forum on November 22 in Nova Scotia. The annual Halifax International Security Forum brings informed leaders from government, business and academe, among others, in an informal and interactive setting, to consider international security issues with the view towards building democracy, creating opportunity and promoting peace. Philippine Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia, who co-led discussions on economic cooperation, expressed satisfaction with the results of the meeting. “Our JCBC demonstrates the closeness and maturity of our bilateral ties. In consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Embassy looks forward to working with Canada to deliver outcomes leading to closer bilateral ties and the prosperity of our peoples,” she remarked.

Page 8 Volume 28

Board of Trade of Thailand Visit to Canada, October 1-7, 2014 In his keynote speech before the business seminar on "Why Thailand?" in Toronto on Oct. 2 to mark the first ever visit by Thailand's largest and most senior business delegation, Ambassador Pisan Manawapat urged the Canadian government and private sector to take advantage of the current pro-reform, pro-business government and legislature to raise Canada's profile in and deepen business partnerships with Thailand, which serves as ASEAN's gateway to the region's common market by the end of 2015.

Why Thailand? A few basic observations:

First, Thailand has always been a br ight spot in Southeast Asia, while Canada has had a strong positive image in Thailand. Second, the Thai economy, like the country, has always been open and foreigners are always warmly welcome. Thais genuinely want visitors to enjoy their stay and do business in Thailand. Third, economic policy has always been firmly in the hands of professionals, regardless of who is heading the government, be it a democratically elected leader or a general. Thailand is no longer seen as the sick man of ASEAN and it is gearing up to make the utmost contribution to ASEAN again.

For the Government of Canada, this is not the time to keep its distance, this is the time to engage, to show support for democratic reform, to share Canada's rich experiences in its fight against corruption. For the Canadian business sector, this is not the time to pause, to adopt a wait and see stance, because Canadians are losing out to the Chinese, Japanese, American and Australian businesspeople who are taking full advantage of the opportunities out there in Thailand and ASEAN. This is the time for Canada to increase its business profile in Thailand, to take advantage of the pro-trade and investment government and pro-reform legislature. This is the time for the Canadian private sector to compete with others by offering their technology and know-how for the huge investment opportunities in infrastructure projects worth more than $80 billion over the next 8-10 years. This is the time for Canadian businesses to tell their government in Ottawa to start FTA talks with Thailand before Thai trade officials are too preoccupied with the current FTA negotiations with the EU and other countries.

The Ambassador ended his speech by inviting leading Canadian private sector representatives to participate actively in the forthcoming Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) meeting on

Mar. 18-19, 2015 in Bangkok, to take maximum advantage of Thailand being a natural gateway to economic potentials of the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of 2015. The business audience also heard two keynote speeches by Mr. Phongsak Assakul, leader of the BOT and Ms. Ajarin Patanapanchai, senior advisor for the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI). The seminar and thereafter network lunch were organized by the BOI. The Thai business delegation continued its visit in Vancouver on Oct. 5-6 before returning to Thailand. In both cities, the provincial Ministers of Trade (Hon. Michael Chan in Toronto and Hon. Teresa Woo-Paw in Vancouver) spoke with them and the BOI also organised a network lunch to allow Canadian business counterparts in both business cities to sit down and talk business with the visiting Thai counterparts on a wide range of areas from petroleum, renewable energy, textiles, kitchenwares, agri-food, seafood, drinks, hospital care, property market and more. Among the Thai companies represented by their senior executives were PTTEP, ThaiBev, CP, MITR PHOL Biofuel, the President of Interfood, Tanachart Bank and Allied Metals Piyanarong Co. Ltd., Bangkok Weaving Mills Co. Ltd., Kluaynamthai Hospital Group and Sea Wealth Frozen Food Co. Ltd. The Thai Board of Trade delegation visited the Bombardier plant, T&T, Loblaws, Scotiabank and MaRs Discovery during their visit in Toronto. Dr. Jingjai Hanchanlash, leading board member of BOT, led a small delegation comprising the President of the Thai Chamber of Commerce University and her team to visit the University of Toronto to strengthen their collaboration with Canada's leading university.

Page 9 ASEAN News

Vietnam and Canada determined to deepen bilateral cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, H.E. Pham Binh Minh visited Canada September 29-30, at the invitation of the Honourable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs. During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Andrew Scheer; held separate meetings with Minister of International Trade Ed Fast; Minister of Development and Minister for La Francophonie Christian Paradis; and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Gery Ritz. During official talks between Minister Pham Binh Minh and Minister John Baird, the two Ministers recognized that cooperation had expanded steadily on all political, social, economic and business, development, environmental and security fields over the past 40 years since establishment of diplomatic relations. They also expressed importance attached to the bilateral relationship and agreed to deepen cooperation on various fields through signing a Letter of Intent that read in part as follows:

Political and Diplomatic Cooperation

Promote exchanges as well as contacts at all levels, including at high-levels, and enhance cooperation at regional and international fora.

Trade and Investment

Welcome their growing commercial ties and underscore the importance of economic cooperation as a foundation for the bilateral relationship; commit to further growing merchandise trade, services trade, investment and commercial partnerships.

Development Cooperation

Cooperate in support of Vietnam’s Social and Economic Development Plans, in areas of economic growth and good governance, and bringing to bear Canada’s significant expertise and knowledge.

Education

Look forward to creating a favourable environment to expand education and research collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Considering the full respect for the legislative powers of the provinces/states and territories in both countries, and building on the work of partners and stakeholders, they will encourage partnerships, mobility and human capital development between the institutions of their respective countries.

Security

Enhance cooperation and coordination on threats to international peace and security, as well as explore continued cooperation on building local capacity within the ASEAN region to counter terrorism, combat organized crime, counter WMD proliferation, and consolidate peace, stability and security of the region.

People-to-People Ties

Explore channels to expand our people-to-people ties and cultural exchanges, to the benefit of both countries.

Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

Continue an open and constructive dialogue on the promotion and protection of human rights to enhance mutual understanding, and to continue practical cooperation to achieve results in this area.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister

Pham Binh Minh and Foreign Minister John Baird on

Sept. 29 in Ottawa

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign

Minister Pham Binh Minh and Speaker of the

House of Commons Andrew Scheer

Page 10 Volume 28

Selected basic ASEAN indicators Table 1 ASEAN Statistics

as of 15 August 2014

Country

Total land area

Total popula-

tion1/

Popula-tion

density1/

Annual popula-

tion

growth1/

Gross domes-tic product

at current prices

Gross domestic product per capita

at current prices

International merchandise trade4/

Foreign direct investments

infow5/6/

Exports Imports Total trade

km2 thousand persons per km2 percent US$ million US$

2/ US$ PPP 3/

US$ million US$ million US$ million US$ million US$ million

2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2012 2013

Brunei Darussalam 5,769 406.2 70 1.6 16,117.5 39,678.7 53,016.9 11,445.4 3,611.8 15,057.2 864.8 908.4

Cambodia 181,035 14,962.6 83 1.5 15,659.0 1,046.5 2,652.6 9,148.2 9,176.0 18,324.2 1,557.1 1,274.9

Indonesia 1,860,360 248,818.1 134 1.4 862,567.9 3,466.7 5,132.5 182,551.9 186,628.7 369,180.5 19,137.9 18,443.8

Lao PDR 236,800 6,644.0 28 2.0 10,002.0 1,505.4 3,127.2 2,592.8 3,292.0 5,884.9 294.4 426.7

Malaysia 330,290 29,948.0 91 1.5 312,071.6 10,420.5 17,540.5 228,276.3 205,985.3 434,261.6 9,400.0 12,297.4

Myanmar 676,577 61,573.8 91 1.0 56,408.0 916.1 1,834.7 11,436.3 12,009.1 23,445.4 1,354.2 2,620.9

Philippines 300,000 99,384.5 331 1.8 269,024.6 2,706.9 4,545.9 53,978.3 65,130.6 119,108.9 2,797.0 3,859.8

Singapore 715 5,399.2 7,550 1.6 297,945.8 55,183.3 65,063.5 410,249.7 373,015.8 783,265.5 59,811.5 60,644.9

Thailand 513,120 68,251.0 133 0.5 387,534.1 5,678.1 9,872.7 228,730.2 249,517.1 478,247.3 10,699.2 12,999.8

Viet Nam 330,951 89,708.9 271 1.1 171,219.3 1,908.6 4,026.1 132,664.1 132,109.9 264,774.0 8,368.0 8,900.0

ASEAN 4,435,617 625,096.3 139 1.3 2,398,549.6 3,837.1 6,135.7 1,271,073.2 1,240,476.3 2,511,549.5 114,284.0 122,376.5

Sources ASEAN Finance and Macro-economic Surveillance Unit Database, ASEAN Merchandise Trade Statistics Database, ASEAN Foreign Direct Investment Statistics Database (compiled/computed from data submission,

publications and/or websites of ASEAN Member States' national statistics offices, central banks and relevant government agencies, and from international sources)

Symbols used Notes 1/ Refers to/based on mid-year total population based on country projections - not available as of publication time 2/ Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar 2013 country figures are not yet available; these figures taken from IMF WEO April 2014

n.a. not applicable/not available/not compiled 3/ Computed based on IMF WEO Database April 2014 estimates and the latest actual country data

Data in italics are the latest updated/revised figures 4/ ASEAN IMTS Database 2013 figures are as of 24 July 2014

from previous posting. 5/ Unless otherwise indicated, figures include equity, reinvested earnings and inter-company loans

6/ FDI, 2013 figures are preliminary as of 30 July 2014

Selected key ASEAN macroeconomic indicators Table 2 ASEAN Statistics

as of 15 August 2014

Country

Growth rate of gross domestic product

at constant prices

Inflation rate (year-on-year growth of CPI

at end of period)

Exchange rate

at end of period1/

Unemployment

rate2/

International merchandise trade 5/

Year-on-year change in foreign direct investments net

inflow3/4/ Ratio of

exports to GDP

Ratio of imports to

GDP

Ratio of total

trade to GDP

Growth of nominal value of exports

Growth of nominal value of imports

Growth of nominal

value of total trade

percent percent national

currency per US$

Currency percent percent percent percent percent percent percent US$ million percent

2013 2013 2013 2012 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013

Brunei Darussalam -1.8 0.2 1.25 Dollar (B $) 1.7 71.0 22.4 93.4 (13.2) (1.7) (10.7) 43.6 5.0

Cambodia 7.0 4.6 3,995 Riel 0.6 58.4 58.6 117.0 23.0 (18.3) (1.8) (282.2)

(18.1)

Indonesia 5.8 8.4 10,567 Rupiah (Rp) 6.1 21.2 21.6 42.8 (3.9) (2.6) (3.3) (694.0)

(3.6)

Lao PDR 8.2 6.9 8,224 Kip 1.9 25.9 32.9 58.8 (2.4) (6.0) (4.4) 132.3 44.9

Malaysia 4.7 3.2 3.16 Ringgit (RM) 3.0 73.1 66.0 139.2 0.3 4.9 2.4 2,897.4 30.8

Myanmar 7.5 4.9 965 Kyat 4.0 20.3 21.3 41.6 22.8 30.7 26.7 1,266.7 93.5

Philippines 7.2 4.1 42.89 Peso (PhP) 6.8 20.1 24.2 44.3 3.8 (0.4) 1.5 1,062.8 38.0

Singapore 3.9 1.5 1.25 Dollar (S $) 2.8 137.7 125.2 262.9 0.5 (1.8) (0.6) 833.4 1.4

Thailand 2.9 1.7 30.73 Baht 0.5 59.0 64.4 123.4 (0.3) 0.7 0.2 2,300.6 21.5

Viet Nam 5.4 6.0 20,934 Dong 3.2 77.5 77.2 154.6 15.9 16.6 16.2 532.0 6.4

ASEAN 5.1 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 53.0 51.7 104.7 1.3 1.5 1.4 8,092.5 7.1

Sources ASEAN Macro-economic Database, ASEAN Merchandise Trade Statistics Database, ASEAN Foreign Direct Investment Statistics Database (compiled/computed from data submission,

publications and/or websites of ASEAN Member States' national statistics offices, central banks and relevant government agencies, and from international sources)

Symbols used Notes - not available as of publication time

1/ The exchange rate used in ASEAN statistical databases is derived from the IMF WEO Database April 2014 which is Kyats 965=US$1.

n.a. not applicable/not available/not compiled 2/ Lao PDR figure is for 2010

Data in italics are the latest updated/revised figures

3/ Unless otherwise indicated, figures include equity, reinvested earnings and inter-company loans.

from previous posting. 4/ FDI 2013 figures are preliminary as of 30 July 2014

5/ Trade Data 2013 are as of 24 July 2014

Page 11 Volume 28

Selected basic ASEAN indicators

as of August 2014

Indicators Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013

Remarks

Total land area km2 4,435,670 4,435,674 4,435,617 4,435,617

Total population thousand 600,291 609,161 617,165 625,096

Gross domestic product at current prices

US$ million 1,884,068 2,184,833 2,321,075 2,398,550 Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar 2013 figures taken from IMF WEO April 2014

GDP growth percent 7.8 4.9 5.8 5.1

ASEAN figure is estimated using country growth rates and country share of world GDP valuated in PPP$ from the IMF WEO Database April 2014.

Gross domestic product per capita at current prices

US$ 3,139 3,587 3,761 3,837

International merchandise trade

US$ million 2,009,116 2,388,444 2,476,427 2,511,550

2013 figures are as of 24 July 2014 Export US$ million 1,051,614 1,242,199 1,254,581 1,271,073

Import US$ million 957,502 1,146,245 1,221,847 1,240,476

Foreign direct investments inflow

US$ million 100,360 97,538 114,284 122,377 2013 figure are preliminary as of 30 July 2014

Visitor arrivals thousand 73,752.6 81,229.0 89,225 63,505

2013 figure are preliminary as of 14 August 2014, Indonesia only for Jan-Feb; Cambodia and Malaysia for Jan-Mar; and Myanmar for Jan-July 2013

Sources ASEANstats, ASEAN Secretariat

Symbols used

- not available as of publi-cation time

n.a. not applicable/not availa-ble/not compiled

Data in italics are the latest updated/revised figures

from previous posting.

p/ preliminary

Current Chair (October 2014 - March 2015): Embassy of Vietnam 55 MacKay Street Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1M 2B2 Phone: 613-236-0772 http://vietem-ca.com/