10 June 2015 - Canadian Minister for International Trade Ed Fast extolled the Philippines’ strong economic growth during his remarks at a roundtable discussion on “Engaging Asia: Advancing Canada’s Business Agenda with APEC Partners” held on June 02. The roundtable discussion was organized jointly by Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada and ASEAN-Business Advisory Council.

In his discourse, Minister Fast made reference to the projected 8% growth in the country’s economy by year-end, with the Philippines being one of  Asia’s “rising stars” and “emerging new market economies.” In the same meeting, Minister Fast outlined Canada’s various tools in engaging countries in the Asia-Pacific region and its huge efforts to gain access to and liaise with these markets of the future.

In her intervention during the question and answer forum, Philippine Consul General Rosalita S. Prospero expressed appreciation for Minister Fast’s encouraging  words on  Canadian-Philippine trade relations, citing the Philippines as one of Canada’s priority markets and country of focus in its overseas development agenda.

Also sitting in the roundtable discussion was President and CEO Doris Magsaysay-Ho of Magsaysay Group of Companies and Member-ABAC Philippines who exchanged views with the Consul General on labor mobility and management, among other issues. Ms. Magsaysa-Ho also extended an invitation to all participants of the roundtable discussion to visit the Philippines for the APEC meetings in November. END