The Board of Investments (BOI) met with Canadian officials and industry leaders at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2025 to strengthen trade and innovation partnerships in the critical minerals sector.
The meeting took placed ahead of the negotiations for a Philippines-Canada free trade agreement (FTA) which is set to begin by mid-2025.
Discussions focused on expanding bilateral cooperation, investment opportunities and technology collaboration.
The BOI officials, in a meeting with Canada’s Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary Ng, explored ways to enhance economic ties.
Ng reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to diversifying its trade partnerships, targeting a 50-percent increase in exports to new markets.
She also cited the potential for expanded investment and collaboration, particularly in sustainable sectors such as critical minerals production and processing.
The BOI delegation also met with Greater Sudbury City officials to gain insights into the city’s world-renowned mining and mineral processing ecosystem, as the Philippines develops its own critical minerals sector.
The BOI delegation discussed potential joint projects in mobility, mining and automotive sectors with the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) and its Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN).
To strengthen business ties, the BOI hosted a roundtable discussion on March 5, 2025, titled “The Future of Mining and Mineral Processing in the Philippines”, gathering 40 key stakeholders from government and industry.
The delegation also visited a Canadian R&D facility specializing in advanced metal refining technologies, which expressed strong interest in establishing operations in the Philippines.