Ottawa, Ontario – Mr. Blaine Calkins, Member of the Canadian Parliament, was in Bangkok today for meetings with local interlocutors. Mr. Calkins met with members of the Thai Board of Trade (TBOT) and the Thai private sector to discuss commercial relations, particularly with the Province of Alberta, take stock of the TBOT’s productive visit to Canada in late 2014, as well as discuss the successful Canada-ASEAN Business Council meetings held in Bangkok last month. Mr. Calkins noted the significant opportunities for expanding two-way trade and investment, and stressed the importance of a predictable business climate and the rule of law to trade partners.
Mr. Calkins also met with members of the Thai-Canadian Parliamentary Friendship Group. He reiterated Canada’s expectation that democratic governance be restored in Thailand as soon as possible through free and fair elections, while also highlighting the importance of a transparent, inclusive reform process.
“Canada and Thailand have a long history of friendship and cooperation,” said Mr. Calkins. “Once a democratically-elected government is in place, we look forward to renew- ing official engagement between Canadian and Thai Parliamentarians, and strengthening cooperation in such areas as governance, business, and people-to-people ties”.