Supporting Canadian businesses to boost exports and create jobs Vancouver, British Columbia – International Trade Minister Ed Fast announces that he will lead a trade mission to Manila and Cebu, Philippines, from May 24 to 28, 2015, accompanied by Senator Tobias Enverga Jr. Minister Fast made the announcement while participating in a round table with business representatives from the Filipino-Canadian community.
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting companies as they seek to boost their exports, creating jobs and economic growth for all Canadians. Trade missions are just one of the tools under Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan (GMAP), the government’s blueprint for creating jobs and economic growth through exports, to help Canadian businesses succeed in foreign markets.
The trade mission to the Philippines will help Canadian companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), take advantage of the opportunities available in one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing countries in Asia. Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and the Philippines was nearly $1.8 billion in 2014, an increase of 2.5 percent over 2013.
The Philippines is a priority market under GMAP and a country of focus for the Government of Canada’s international development efforts.
Minister Fast was last in the Philippines in March 2015, as part of a trade mission to boost Canada’s exports and investment partnerships with Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members. While in Manila, Minister Fast met with Gregory Domingo, the Philippine’s Secretary of Trade and Industry, to discuss the potential for enhanced bilateral trade relations. The Philippines, chair of the APEC for 2015, shares Canada’s commitment to fostering the participation of SMEs in the global economy.
Minister Fast will also participate in the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting on May 23 and 24 in Boracay, Philippines.
For information on the trade mission and the opportunities that exist in the market, visit Canada Trade Mission to the Philippines.