Canadian Chamber slates trade briefing on Feb 19

CEBU, Philippines - The Canadian Chamber of Commerce-Cebu Chapter will be holding a trade briefing on February 19 to strengthen the foothold of the Philippines as one of Canada’s top export markets for agricultural products.

One of the topics that will be discussed during the briefing, which will be held at Don Merto’s Restaurant in Casa Escaño, is on sourcing opportunities in Canada Agriculture and Agri-Food.

The discussion, together with Cebuano CanCham members and other participants will be led by Trade Commissioner, Agriculture and Agri-Food, Embassy of Canada in the Philippines.

The interactive briefing session focuses on the Philippines as one of Canada’s largest export markets for agricultural products.

Participants will get a glimpse of Canadian product offerings in agriculture and agri-food in commodity markets, agri-technology, livestock, and food processing materials.

This event will be followed by a discussion on the “Outbound Trade Mission to Canada” led by CanCham executive director Cora dela Cruz.

The outbound trade mission to Canada is strategic business initiative for local companies and entrepreneurs, who want to expand their international market, learn and discover new business opportunities, and meet potential Canadian investors.

Last month, the CanCham-Cebu Chapter formally inked deal with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) to energize further trade and investment exchanges between Canada and Cebu.

CanCham president Julian Payne said although Cebu and Canada had years of business cooperation, it is important to take a stronger grip of partnership with the local investors in order to promote mutual awareness of opportunities.

Cebu has good potential to maximize its trading penetration to Canada specifically in the fields of agri-business, tourism, education and Information Technology and Communication (ICT).

However, promotion of these opportunities to Canadian investors is still weak. Part of the two chambers' plan is to hold series of joint trade missions to Canada, and vice-versa.

Likewise, the partnership is also seen to improve people mobility, transfer of technology,

Embassy of Canada to the Philippines senior trade commissioner Karra-Lee Gerrits, said that Canada-Philippines trade relations and prospects are promising.

Gerrits mentioned that the over 600,000 Filipinos residing and working in Canada is one of the few testaments of the two nations’ strengthening relationship.

About 10 percent of remittances from OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) come from Canada. The Philippines on the other hand, is Canada’s 45th source of imports, and its 35th destination for exports.

The top five Canadian exports to the Philippines are copper concentrates, meat (pork and poultry), cereals (wheat and oats), potassic, and lumber.  While Canada’s top five imports from the Philippines include; electrical machinery (cable circuitry), optical components, computers, office machinery, knit apparel, tires, coconut and dried mangoes.  (FREEMAN)