Ottawa, Canada – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Toronto (PTIC-Toronto) and the Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Philippines in Ottawa, spearheaded the Philippine participation in the Second Meeting of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) between the Philippines and Canada, held on 05-06 June 2025.
Co-chaired by DTI Undersecretary for International Trade, Atty. Allan Gepty and Global Affairs Canada Assistant Deputy Minister Weldon Epp, discussions focused on sustaining the strong momentum of the Philippines-Canada bilateral relations, particularly in key sectors such as agriculture and agri-technology, renewable energy, infrastructure and development, creative industries and services, mining and minerals processing, cyber-security technologies, and support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Through the concerted efforts of both countries, significant milestones in economic and bilateral cooperation have been achieved, including the expansion of direct air routes to enhance business connectivity, the establishment of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Agriculture Regional Office in the Philippines to strengthen agricultural collaboration, and the launch of exploratory discussions on a potential bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
On the sidelines of the JEC, several side activities were also organized, including a roundtable on energy transition and critical minerals with Natural Resources Canada, meetings with the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, the Philippine-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and selected Filipino businesses as well as a meeting with Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada.
The delegation also met with the Honorable Rechie Valdez, Member of Parliament and Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism, to discuss bilateral trade and investment relations as well as opportunities for cooperation based on shared advocacies and mutual complementarities. Minister Valdez is notably the first Filipino-Canadian woman elected to the Canadian Parliament and appointed as a Cabinet Minister.
Aligned with the government’s goal of forging inclusive, sustainable, and mutually beneficial partnerships, DTI continues to advance shared economic priorities and enhance sectoral collaboration for a stronger Philippines-Canada trade and investment ties.
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Date of Release: 01 July 2025