Canada and the Philippines: A winning partnership

Mabuhay from Canada!

As I conclude a highly successful Team Canada Trade Mission to the Philippines, one thing is crystal clear: there has never been a better time for our two nations to deepen our economic partnership.

The numbers speak volumes about our existing relationship. The Philippines is our second-largest export market in Southeast Asia, with our two-way trade valued at C$3.4 billion. Seventy-five years after Canada opened its first trade office in Manila in December 1949, we’ve brought our largest-ever trade delegation of 300 participants to the Philippines – a beautiful symmetry that reflects how far our partnership has come.

At the heart of our partnership lies an extraordinary human connection that creates natural bridges between our nations. Our million-strong Filipino-Canadian community serves as powerful ambassadors, facilitating business relationships and deepening cultural understanding between our countries. They’ve enriched Canadian communities in countless ways, including introducing us to the delights of Jollibee’s famous Chickenjoy – a taste of home that’s become a Canadian favorite! More than 25,000 Canadians have made the Philippines their home. These bonds will soon be strengthened by Air Canada’s announcement of direct flights to the Philippines, facilitating business ties and people-to-people exchanges.

The timing of our enhanced engagement couldn’t be more opportune. President Marcos’ recent signing of the “Create More” legislation signals the Philippines’ commitment to creating a more welcoming environment for international investment and partnership. Canada stands ready to share expertise in crucial sectors where we excel: climate finance, infrastructure, telecommunications, clean and renewable technologies, ICT, green mining, aerospace, defense and security. And, did you know? About eight billion peso coins currently in circulation were produced by the Royal Canadian Mint!

This trade mission has already delivered tangible results. Export Development Canada’s decision to establish an office here demonstrates our long-term commitment. Canadian technology leader OpenText is expanding its innovation center and building on its existing 1,500-person workforce, while Ostrom Climate has chosen Manila as its ASEAN regional hub. The partnership between Canadian AI firm Lydia AI and Philippine venture capital firm Kickstart Ventures showcases how our technology sectors can collaborate, while the agreement between Canada’s FreeBalance and the Philippine Department of Budget and Management enhances financial management systems.

A particularly significant development was the signing of an Administrative Agreement to fulfill obligations under our 1983 Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. As a tier-one nuclear nation with expertise across the full supply chain, Canada is uniquely positioned to support the Philippines’ energy goals.

The momentum in our bilateral relationship has led to an exciting new phase: we are beginning exploratory discussions toward a Canada-Philippines Free Trade Agreement. This potential agreement would create unprecedented opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Pacific. For Filipino businesses, it means enhanced access to North American markets through Canada. For Canadian businesses, it opens doors to one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies.

Food security remains a critical priority for both our nations. Canadian exports of high-quality agri-food and seafood to the Philippines have helped address food security needs and inflationary pressures. Our decision to establish the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-food Office in Manila underscores our commitment to this vital sector. The office is already engaged in technical capacity-building and helping businesses identify opportunities across the Indo-Pacific region.

Our Indo-Pacific Strategy, backed by substantial investment of C$2.3 billion over five years, helps create the right conditions for Filipino businesses to thrive in North American markets while enabling Canadian companies to strengthen their presence in the Philippines.

The foundation of our partnership extends beyond economics to shared values – commitment to the rule of law and inclusive economic growth. As we look to the future, our complementary strengths create natural synergies.

The path forward is clear: through continued engagement and strategic investment, we can build a more prosperous future for both our nations. Canada stands ready as the partner of choice for the Philippines in its journey of economic transformation.

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Mary Ng is Canada’s Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development.