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The federal government has been monitoring the growing number of members of the Beijing-based investment bank, in the works since 2013 but only officially launched at the start of this year with almost 60 country members.

The AIIB — seen as a possible financing competitor for the Washington-based International Monetary Fund and the Paris-based Organization for Economic Development and Co-operation — will hold its inaugural annual general meeting June 25 and 26 in Beijing.

The previous Conservative government did not commit to joining the fledgling investment organization before the original deadline. Now, Canada will need to wait for a formal invitation — something that could be issued during or shortly after the June AGM.

The new Liberal government sees the AIIB as a “positive force for infrastructure investment … and as the bank considers its possibility for inviting other members, we’ll come forward with our decision,” Morneau said.

“I can tell you one thing that came up clearly in those meetings (in Sendai) is the importance of the Asia Pacific region,” he added.

“These meetings, for us, are a very positive opportunity to demonstrate our leadership on important international issues — but also to send a message to our G7 colleagues that Canada is back, that we’re engaged and we want to be a global leader. It is, for us, also a good opportunity to promote our trade and investment goals in Canada and our … important strong relationship with the Asia Pacific region.”