Canada has picked the Philippines as its new agriculture and agri-food office in the Indo-Pacific region after considering Manila as an “important partner” to build more economic relationships and people-to-people ties.
Canadian Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Thursday announced that Manila will be the intended home base for the new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office after discussing the Canadian strategy in the region with the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA).
The new office is a joint venture between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which will consist of a mobile team working directly with Canadian diplomatic missions, Canadian stakeholders, foreign interlocutors, and decision-makers in the region to advance mutual trade objectives for the sector.
“The Office will work hand in hand with Government of Canada resources already in place in the Indo-Pacific, and will help strengthen partnerships, advance technical cooperation, support Canadian exporters in finding new business opportunities, and help position Canada as a preferred supplier in the region,” the Canadian Embassy in Manila said.
In establishing a home base in the Philippines for its Indo-Pacific strategy, Bibeau said the Canadian government will help its farmers, food processors and exporters to maximize their opportunities and diversify their markets “in the world’s fastest-growing economic zone.” Rey E. Requejo