Philippines Canada Trade Council and B.C. Trade and Investment Representative Office eye business opportunities between PH and B.C.

The Philippines Canada Trade Council (PCTC) and British Columbia’s Ministry of International Trade has recently affirmed the business relations between British Columbia and the Philippines.

In a meeting held at Singleton Urquhart Law Firm in West Georgia, British Columbia; PCTC Board Members, the Managing Director of Trade and Investment Representative Office, Eva P. Yazon, together with the Senior Manager for America and South East Asia International Markets of B.C. Ministry of International Trade and Development, Jessica Kang, extended support to each other in expanding business opportunities between B.C. and Philippine based businesses.

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to cement ties with the B. C. Trade Office in Manila through this meeting with Director Yazon,” said PCTC President Jorge Miguel Marcó. “We have been actively pursuing the development of trade between the province and the Philippines through the International Trade Ministry and I believe they recognize that effort. This new trade office in Manila and our new-found relationship with Director Yazon will certainly help pave the way for greater facilitation of trade and commerce between B.C. and the Philippines,” Marcó said.

“Our focus is to contribute to the wealth of BC companies, export their products to the Philippines and attract Philippine companies to invest in B.C.,” Director Yazon said. “We are out there knocking on doors, getting their interests, getting them to know what these BC companies have to offer. We are basically the matchmakers.”

Director Yazon’s first year in office will be dedicated in educating Philippine businesses of business opportunities in British Columbia, promoting B.C. as an investment haven and build its reputation as source of product, services, technology and education.

“We do have to educate the BC market about the Philippines. We are no longer the sick man of Asia; we are out of ICU. We are up and running now. In fact, the first quarter showed a 6.9 GDP, besting China,” said Director Yazon. She stressed that their office is working closely with the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines.

“We are confident that we will be able to achieve our purpose with the support of organizations like PCTC,” she added.

Meanwhile, Ms. Jessica Kang of B.C. Ministry of International Trade and Development identified the food, forestry, international education, infrastructure and services, and telecommunication sectors as her priority industries.

According to Ms. Kang, the South East Asia is the new region her office is focusing on.

Ms. Eva P. Yazon can be reached at eyazon@britishcolumbia.ca