KOTA KINABALU: Canadian High Commissioner to Malaysia Judith St George looks forward to seeing more business collaborations forged between Malaysia and Canada, particularly in the timber and oil and gas industries.
St George is confident that the collaborations will boost the development of the said sectors in both countries.
She said that at the 26th Canadian Graduate Association of Sabah (CGAS) installation ceremony and Maple Leaf Night on June 29.
St George said Petronas had made the biggest investment in Canada last December, which propelled the business partnership of both countries to new heights.
In addition, she said that 50 Canadian delegates would be participating in the Asian-Pacific Conference in Malaysia this month and believed that the event would help establish more business deals.
St George succeeded Randolph Mank as the High Commissioner of Canada to Malaysia two months ago.
She was previously the Canadian High Commissioner in Singapore and the Philippines.
On another note, she said Canada has set up a centre for visa applications in Kuala Lumpur, thus eliminating the need to fly to Singapore for the application.
She assured that applicants would obtain their visas within 14 days, adding that the embassy was striving to expedite the process.
St George also urged Canadian graduates to assist in promoting the country as a destination for tertiary studies to Malaysian students.
She said Canada possessed a fine education system.
There was a time when around 1,800 Malaysian students pursued their tertiary studies in Canada annually, but the number has dropped to around 500 each year.
The event also saw the celebration of Canada Day, which marked the 146th anniversary of Canada’s founding.
The lineup for CGAS executive committee 2013-2015 are president Joe Chow, vice president Brandon Chin, secretary Lynda Wong, treasurer Chung Tze Kong, committee members Tay Keck Chet, Liew Len Pong, Florence Tan, Catherine Chan, Penny Yu and Christina Lingam, auditors Philip Chua and Clement Kok.
Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen is the advisor of CGAS.