The Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CanCham) in Cebu is seeking to do more business with Canada.
The CanCham is looking at making local Cebu products more prominent in the Canadian market by forming direct links between Cebuano entrepreneurs and businessmen in Canada, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.
CanCham-Cebu President Felix Tiukinhoy Jr. said in the report that his group is sending a team to Canada for a 10-day trade mission in August.
“The trade mission will be for different categories, such as food and other business sectors, to look for partners to invest in Cebu,” Tiukinhoy said in the report.
Tiukinhoy was interviewed during CanCham’s celebration of the 149th Canada Day celebration in Cebu.
As part of the celebration of Canada Day, CanCham organized a two-day mini-trade fair at the Ayala Center Cebu in Cebu City.
According to the Inquirer report, the event was held to support and promote Canadian-Philippine business interests.
Tiukinhoy is the president and chairman of Cebu-based Virginia Foods Inc. (VFI).
The businessman said that Canadian companies can invest in the tourism and manufacturing sectors in Cebu.
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder said in the Inquirer report that he looks forward to working with the new government of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a speech during a networking between Canadian and local businessmen, Reeder said he hopes the engagements entered into between Canada and the Philippines will continue apace with the Duterte administration.
“Our focus is on expanding on trade with large, fast-growing markets like the Philippines, and a targeted strategy to promote trade and investment with emerging markets,” the Canadian diplomat said in the report.