PH seen to play key role in Canada’s ‘Indo-Pacific’ strategy

MANILA  -The Canadian government is looking to the Philippines as a regional hub for activities in line with its “Indo-Pacific” strategy as the Marcos economic team drummed up interest in doing business with and in the country.

The economic team held in Toronto its eighth international sortie so far, through an economic briefing held on July 13 and attended by representatives of the government and private sector in Canada.

In his keynote message, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno invited those in attendance to explore opportunities in the Philippines in the fields of electronics manufacturing, machineries and electricity, mining and agriculture.

Sven List, senior vice president of state-run firm Export Development Canada (EDC), said in the briefing that they were exploring opportunities in the Indo-Pacific and planning to open regional hubs in key markets next year.

List said EDC’s strategy had taken off from industrial sectors where Canada has a proven record of expertise and the ability to deliver value fast, referring to agriculture/food, infrastructure and clean technology for power generation.

These were the same “areas in which countries like the Philippines are making important investments and where Canadian businesses are ready to offer goods, services and their own investment,” he said.

Rechie Valdez, Member of Parliament representing the neighboring city of Mississauga, said that since the announcement of Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, their government had shown clear commitment to work alongside the Philippines.

“And last month, our government announced that the new Indo-Pacific agriculture and agrifood office would be located in Manila,” said Valdez, who has Filipino roots.