The Canadian government announced its decision on Thursday to open the planned Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila, the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines said.

In a press release, the Embassy said that Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau met with Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) where they advanced on the Indo-Pacific strategy.

Bibeau expressed that the Philippines is an important partner under the Indo-Pacific strategy and that hosting this new Office is an opportunity to build economic and social ties.

“Our Government will continue to help Canadian farmers, food processors, and exporters maximize their opportunities, and diversify their markets in the world’s fastest-growing economic zone,” she said.

The Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office is a strategic partnership between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

A mobile team will work directly with Canadian diplomatic missions, Canadian stakeholders, foreign interlocutors, and decision-makers in the region to advance mutual trade objectives for the sector.

“Canada's agriculture and agri-food exporters have long called for an Indo-Pacific Strategy that would help us seize the many opportunities that exist in these dynamic and fast-growing markets. We are pleased that Canada's Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food office will be established in Manila, a growing trading partner for Canada and a key member of ASEAN,” CAFTA President Dan Darling said.

Canada has trade agreements in force with several key markets in the Indo-Pacific region, including South Korea under the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA), and with Australia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Written By Ailah Francisco, DZRH News Online Intern