OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to embark on a high-profile international tour later this month, with planned stops in Qatar, China and Switzerland, as Canada looks to diversify trade relationships and attract foreign investment amid global economic uncertainty.
The Prime Minister will travel to Doha on Jan. 18 for a bilateral visit, marking the first time a sitting Canadian prime minister has officially visited Qatar. During the visit, Carney is expected to meet with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as well as senior business leaders and investors. Discussions will focus on building new partnerships in strategic sectors including artificial intelligence, infrastructure development, energy and security.
The Qatar stop forms part of a broader diplomatic mission that will also take Carney to China, where he is scheduled to meet Xi Jinping. This will be the first official visit to China by a Canadian prime minister in nearly a decade, signaling a renewed effort to re-engage Beijing at the highest political level.
Following his engagements in Asia and the Middle East, Carney will travel to Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos from Jan. 19 to 21. The annual gathering brings together global political and business leaders to discuss economic growth, geopolitical stability and emerging technologies.
The Prime Minister’s Office says the multi-country trip reflects Canada’s push to broaden its global economic footprint, strengthen international partnerships, and position the country as a competitive destination for investment in key future-oriented industries.