Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, kicked off on May 22 a visit to the Philippines, where he will advance and promote Canada’s commercial interests within the Asia-Pacific region at the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting from May 22 to 24, 2015, in Boracay, Philippines.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for Fast to engage with his counterparts from APEC economies to expand Canada’s trade relationship with this growing and dynamic region, as part of the government’s ambitious pro-export plan. As chair of APEC in 2015, the Philippines shares Canada’s commitment to fostering the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the global economy.
In 2014, APEC economies accounted for 57 percent of the world’s GDP and 39.8 percent of its population. They also represented 84 percent of Canada’s merchandise trade and included four of Canada’s top five national trading partners (the United States, Boracay, Philippines
– Minister of International Trade Ed Fast meets with his counterparts at the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Minister Fast to engage with his counterparts from APEC economies in order to expand Canada’s trade relationship with this growing and dynamic region,
China, Mexico and Japan).
“As part of our government’s ambitious pro- export Global Markets Action Plan we are committed to opening up new market opportunities for Canadian businesses and to supporting our small and medium-sized enterprises with the tools they need achieve export success,” Fast said.
Following APEC, Minister Fast will lead a multi- sector trade mission to Manila and Cebu, Philippines, from May 24 to 28, 2015, with more than 50 representatives of over 40 companies and organizations. He will be joined by Senator Tobias Enverga Jr.
Fast’s trade mission to the Philippines will help Canadian companies, especially SMEs, take advantage of the opportunities available in one of the fastest- growing economies in Asia. Trade missions are just one of the many tools under Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan (GMAP), the government’s blueprint for creating jobs and economic growth through exports, to help Canadian businesses
as part of the government’s ambitious pro-export plan. As chair of APEC in 2015, the Philippines shares Canada’s commitment to fostering the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the global economy.
Following the APEC meeting, Minister Fast will lead a multi-sector, five-day trade mission to Manila and Cebu, Philippines, from May 24 succeed in foreign markets. The Philippines is a priority market under GMAP and a country of focus for the Government of Canada’s international development efforts. The Philippines is the second fastest-growing economy in Asia. Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and the Philippines totalled $1.8 billion in 2014.
Minister Fast was last in the Philippines in March 2015 as part of a trade mission to boost Canada’s exports and investment partnerships with the ASEAN and APEC members.
During his recent historic state visit to Canada, Philippines’ President Benigno Aquino III and Prime Minister Stephen Harper reaffirmed the longstanding and to 28, 2015. Minister Fast will be joined on the mission by more than 50 representatives of over 40 companies and organizations as well as by Senator Tobias Enverga Jr. positive Canada-Philippines bilateral partnership based on shared democratic values and a mutual interest in expanding trade and commercial relations, including through the launch of exploratory discussions on a free trade agreement.
As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2015, Prime Minister Harper announced a total of $50 million over five years in direct financial assistance to Canadian SMEs for market research and participation in trade missions. It is expected that this funding will help between 500 and 1,000 Canadian entrepreneurs per year reach their full export potential.
Fast said: “Canada and the Philippines have a close partnership based on shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties. This trade mission will help strengthen our economic and commercial relationship with one of the ASEAN region’s fastest-growing economies, creating jobs across Canada.”