OTTAWA,
ON, July 20, 2024 /CNW/ - On July 22, the Honourable Rechie Valdez,
Minister of Small Business and the first Filipina Cabinet
minister and member of Parliament in Canadian history,
will kick off her official visit to the
Philippines. During her visit, the Minister will mark 75
years of strong bilateral relations between the two nations by
engaging in bilateral discussions with Filipino government
officials and meeting with Canadian business leaders and
entrepreneurs in the Philippines,
women community leaders, and investment groups. The Minister's
engagements will explore new opportunities that will benefit
small businesses in both countries. Her visit comes in advance
of the Team Canada trade mission to the Philippines in December.
Canada is proud to be home to
nearly one million Filipino-Canadian residents who make invaluable
contributions to Canada's
workforce, entrepreneurial landscape, heritage and multicultural
society. Minister Valdez's meetings will strengthen the strong
people-to-people ties that are at the foundation of Canada's and the
Philippines' partnership. Minister Valdez's official
visit to the Philippines comes
after a number of initiatives in recent months to celebrate
Filipino-Canadian heritage, including marking the 126th
anniversary of Philippine independence with a flag
raising on Parliament Hill and celebrating Canada's 6th Filipino Heritage Month this past
June. Additionally, the Government of Canada has made commitments this year through
Budget 2024 to create a Filipino cultural centre in B.C. that
will create a space for Filipino Canadians to come together to
celebrate and preserve their heritage.
Canada looks forward to
continuing to work with the
Philippines on shared priorities such as deepening trade and
driving economic growth, supporting small businesses operating in
both nations and in international markets, strengthening peace and
security globally, and advancing human rights for the benefit of
people on both sides of the Pacific.
Quote
"With nearly one million Filipino Canadians calling
Canada home, it is more
important than ever to continue to strengthen the bond and
friendship our government shares with the
Philippines. As we celebrate 75 years of strong and friendly
bilateral relations, let's celebrate our nations' close
collaboration on shared priorities, including climate change,
health care, economic development, and supports for small and
medium-sized businesses. I am both proud and honoured to be
Canada's first Filipina Cabinet
minister and member of Parliament and am dedicated to creating more
growth opportunities for our two countries."
– The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business
Quick facts
- In 2022, Canada–Philippines bilateral merchandise trade
totalled $3.1 billion, up from
$2.7 billion in 2021. Canadian
merchandise exports to the
Philippines in 2022 amounted to $1.2
billion.
- In 2022, Canadian merchandise imports from the Philippines were valued at $1.9 billion, up from $1.4
billion in the previous year. Canada's stock in direct investments abroad in
the Philippines in 2021 was
approximately $1.6 billion.
- In February 2024, the Government
of Canada announced an investment
of $28.15 million in development
programming for the Philippines,
emphasizing support for climate adaptation, for resilience against
natural disasters, and for improved health care services.
- In 2023, the Government of Canada announced the opening of a new
application processing centre in Manila,
Philippines, to help boost immigration application
processing within Canada and
abroad.
- In 2023, the Government of Canada announced the addition of the Philippines to the electronic travel
authorization program, making it more efficient and affordable for
families to reunite and for individuals to visit Canada more easily.
- In Budget 2024, the Government of Canada committed to creating a Filipino
cultural centre in British
Columbia that will create a designated space for the
Filipino community to come together and celebrate its culture and
heritage.
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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada