Canada development partnership with U.A.E. builds bridges into Arab world

OTTAWA – Canada signed a development co-operation agreement with the United Arab Emirates this week at a major international development meeting in Mexico.

Development Minister Christian Paradis says the deal will help the Harper government navigate the complex Middle East in the fight against poverty.

The deal also attempts to position Canada as a friend to the Arab world at a time when the Harper government is seen as unabashedly pro-Israel.

The deal’s goals are to reduce poverty, support economic growth and promote human rights.

Paradis announced two more projects designed to increase private-sector involvement in international development, a focus that has opened the government to criticism.

The deals include the Frontier Markets project, which will offer help to small and medium-sized businesses in anti-poverty projects in developing countries.