PH Consulate General in Toronto Participates in Toronto Leg of Seventh Trade Mission to Canada

Consul General Orontes V. Castro delivers his remarks at Welcome Meeting for the delegates of the 7th Trade Mission to Canada at the Ontario Investment and Trade Center, Toronto on 22 October 2019. (Toronto PCG photo)

TORONTO 20 November 2019 — Consul General to Toronto Orontes V. Castro and other Philippine Consulate General in Toronto officials attended the welcome meeting for the Philippine business delegation of the Seventh Trade Mission to Canada at the Ontario Investment and Trade Centre in Toronto on 22 October 2019. 

The event was organized by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CanCham) and the delegation was composed of Philippine companies engaged in agri-business, food, and related industries. After their meetings in Toronto, the delegation proceeded to Ottawa for various meetings, including those with Canadian authorities.

Consul General Castro, in his welcome remarks, described the two-way trade relations between the Philippines and the province of Ontario. He said that the increasing number of Filipino immigrants, students and workers to Canada, especially in Ontario, could lead to increased merchandise trade between the two countries.  He also turned over the document “Doing Business in the Philippines” prepared by SGV to Mr. Dean Post of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). 

Mr. Post presented an overview and opportunities of the Ontario agri-food sector, stating that the province’s strategic location in North America allows it to become a very good distribution center for markets not only in Canada but to those in Mexico and the USA as well. 

Senior Trade Commissioner Ma. Roseni Alvero delineated the services offered by the Trade Office Section as well as its export and investment promotion program. She also provided information on the bilateral trade between the Philippines and Canada and recent foreign direct investments of Canada in the Philippines. 

Mr. Steve Pagao of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto (PCCT) described the programs of the Chamber, including its initiatives to be the hub of Filipino and Filipino-Canadian businesses in Toronto and Ontario.  Members of the Philippine delegation presented the different products and services that their respective companies offer to the public.

On 23 October, Consul General Castro and Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza joined the delegates in their call on Toronto City Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson and Councillor James Pasternak.  The event was arranged by PCCT. Later that day, Consul General Castro attended the business networking event for the Philippine delegation and the delegates from Ghana organized by PCCT. The gathering was also attended by Filipino-Canadian businessmen and their associates. END

Consul General Castro (third from left) hands over the guide on “Doing Business in the Philippines” to Mr. Dean Post (second from left) of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on 22 October 2019. It was witnessed by Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza (second from right), Senior Trade Commissioner Ma. Roseni Alvero (leftmost) and Ms. Heidi del Pilar, Manager, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (rightmost). (Toronto PCG photo)

Consul General Castro (seated, second from right) pose with other officials of Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto (PCCT) President Steve Pagao (seated, leftmost) and members of the Philippine delegation to the Seventh Trade Mission to Canada on 22 October 2019. (Toronto PCG photo)

Consul General Castro  (seated, leftmost) with Toronto City Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson (seated, center), Councillor James Pasternak (seated, righmost), Mr. Pagao, Mr. Julian Baricuatro, Managing Director, Bitsource Interactive (second row, second from left) and members of the Philippine delegation of the Seventh Trade Mission to Canada on 23 October 2019. (Kristein Dioko photo)

Consul General Castro (rightmost) delivers his special remarks to the participants of Business Networking Event hosted by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto on 23 October 2019 in Scarborough, Ontario. The event was attended by the Filipino-Canadian business community in Toronto and their associates, Filipino delegates of the 7th Trade Mission to Canada, and members of the business delegation from Ghana. (Toronto PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://www.torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philcongen-toronto.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinToronto/.