HONG KONG, March 25, 2013 — Canadian Finance Minister James M. Flaherty gave brief remarks on international trade among Hong Kong, China and Canada. Flaherty emphasized Canada's expanding trade ties with the world's emerging markets, adding that the goal is to increase Canadian exports to the world's largest, most dynamic and fastest-growing economies in the region.

The Minister said he travels frequently to Asia, and every one of his visits have strengthened his view of the importance of the Asia Pacific region, whose economic growth rate is two to three times the global average. He said the Canadian government has long considered Hong Kong — one of the largest financial markets in Asia and an important source of direct investment — a priority in its global trade efforts.

Video: Watch the complete talk (13 min., 7 sec.)