12 November 2014 - The Canada-Philippines Business Council (CPBC) held a Forum on Doing Business in the Philippines at the Ontario Investment and Trade Center (OITC) in Toronto on November 07. The forum was organized with the International Trade Branch of the Province of Ontario, and Team Philippines in Canada -- with the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in New York giving remarks and presentations.
In her keynote remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia noted how the forum comes at a time when the Philippines became a Country of Focus for development aid, and an emerging priority market under the Global Markets Access Plan of Canada this year. Moreover, the Philippines and Canada recently concluded an expanded air services agreement that holds the promise for greater two-way trade, investment and tourism flows. The Ambassador expressed optimism that the forum would enable everyone “to work on synergies between our two economies in how we do business with one another and the rest of the world.”
For her part, Corrie MacDougall of the Ontario International Trade Branch of the Province of Ontario said that she looks forward to the outcome of the business mission to the Philippines they are organizing for July 2015.
Marti Falcone from Export Development Canada outlined the products and services offered to Philippine and Canadian enterprises in furthering trade and investment transactions.
Alma Farias of the Trade Facilitation Office of Canada expressed excitement about working with both importers and exporters from the Philippines and Canada and facilitating linkages among them.
Commercial Counsellor Michelle Sanchez extended an offer of assistance to those who would be interested in Philippine products.
Philippine Consul General Junever Mahilum-West extended an invitation to take part in the Second Edition of the Winter Escapade – It’s More Fun In The Philippines Tour.
CPBC officials, led by its President, Mr. Paul Tesseyman, moderated the discussions and introduced the various speakers.
Based on statistics compiled by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Canada ranked as the 21st largest trading partner of the Philippines in 2013. Meanwhile, Statistics Canada showed that total trade between both countries grew by 13.2% in the past year. END