Asia Pacific Foundation Canada and Southeast Asia

Canadians: These perceptions may explain why ASEAN has not featured prominently on Canada trade and investment radar, according to Globe and Mail. A national opinion poll by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada found that only 11 per cent of Canadians believe Southeast Asia is highly important for Canada economic prosperity, compared to over a third of Canadians who see China and Japan as highly important. For many Canadians, ASEAN may seem convoluted and confusing – a mishmash of disparate nations with varying forms government, different levels of development, diverse cultures and religions and, quite often, troubled historical pasts. ASEAN as a region is not without its challenges. ASEAN leaders are aware of the international business community concerns and are taking proactive steps to address them. A 2013 Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada survey of Canadian businesses in ASEAN found that issues of corruption, inconsistent applications of laws and regulations, and intellectual property infringement are some of the major concerns for Canadian businesses currently operating in the region. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.