SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Singapore as part of his first official visit to Asia. The trip aims to position Canada as a reliable trading partner for Southeast Asia and to attract investment in various sectors.

During a speech in Malaysia on Sunday, Carney emphasized the need for significant domestic investment, stating, "we need to build at scale at home." He noted that Canada requires approximately half a trillion dollars in investment across sectors that would appeal to international investors.

Singapore, known for its robust international investment community, is a key stop for Carney. On Tuesday, he held private meetings with potential investment partners, including the head of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, which has existing investments in Canada. The Prime Minister's Office indicated that Carney aims to promote investment in artificial intelligence, clean technology, critical minerals, and nation-building projects in Canada.

Carney also visited PSA International, a port operator with terminals in British Columbia and Halifax. His office stated that he intends to encourage PSA International to engage in Canada’s upcoming infrastructure projects.

This visit follows a change in Carney's itinerary, as he was originally scheduled to visit Japan. Political changes in Tokyo led to the cancellation of that leg of the trip. Senior Canadian officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, suggested that Carney would have visited Japan had the coalition government not collapsed earlier this month.

Carney began his Asian tour in Malaysia at the ASEAN leaders summit, which includes some of the fastest-growing economies in the world. The region is currently navigating the complexities of U.S.-China relations.

Stéphanie Martel, a Southeast Asia expert at Queen’s University, highlighted the importance of Canada proving its relevance in the region. She stated, "Canada probably needs ASEAN way more than it needs us — and they know it, but I don’t think we necessarily do." Martel emphasized the need for Canada to present a compelling case for its value to ASEAN countries.

Carney's visit aligns with the Liberal government's Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to strengthen partnerships in Southeast Asia. However, Martel noted that many in the region perceive Canada’s engagement as inconsistent, with periods of active outreach followed by silence.

She also pointed out that while trade is crucial, Carney should address broader issues such as security and climate change, which resonate with Southeast Asian nations. Martel expressed concern that Canada may overlook the importance of being viewed as a reliable partner.

"For our partners in the region, it’s also becoming crystal clear that the United States is unpredictable, unreliable and destabilizing," she said. This perception may push Southeast Asian countries closer to China, which could create opportunities for Canada to position itself as a stable alternative.

Although ASEAN recognized Canada as a strategic partner in 2023, Canada has not been included in a comprehensive partnership that would allow it to participate in ASEAN discussions on defense and other critical issues.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his cabinet's commitment to deepening ties with Canada, focusing on trade, research, education, and investment.

The timeline for a trade agreement between Canada and ASEAN has been pushed back to next year, a delay that Martel attributes to the diverse interests and development levels within the ASEAN bloc. She commended Canada for signing a separate deal with Indonesia and for accelerating trade talks with the Philippines.

Carney is also meeting with leaders he is expected to encounter at future summits. He met with Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in South Korea later this week. China will host the APEC summit next year.