In an exclusive interview, Canadian Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway Stockwell Day told that The STAR that Canada is “ready to help meet the demand in the Philippines.”

Canada’s biggest export is agri-food and the Philippines, according to Day, is Canada’s 9th biggest destination for its agri-products.

Canadian exports to the Philippines last year amounted to C$559.5 million (at an exchange rate of C$1 = P45) or P25.177 billion.

The Philippines’ biggest export to Canada, on the other hand, is electrical machinery.

Canadian imports from the Philippines last year amounted to C$822.7 million or P37.021 billion.

Canadian foreign direct investments in the Philippines in 2008, likewise, is a healthy C$671 million or P30.195 billion.

One big Canadian investor in the mining sector is TVI Resources which operates in Mindanao.

Mr Day assured that as part of Canada’s investment thrust, it is implementing a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for all Canadian firms.

However, Mr Day evaded a direct answer to questions about the entry of more Philippines fruits and food products to Canada.

According to Mr Day, Canada looks at the phyto-sanitary practices of its neighbors to learn and align their own standards.

Philippine fruit products to Canada faces nearly the same hurdles it must go through to access the US market which is Canada’s southern neighbor.

Canada, Mr Day also revealed, is looking at “strengthening linkages” through more bilateral regional trade arrangements similar to the North American Free Trade Arrangement (NAFTA) even as it also adheres to the global World Trade Organization (WTO) system.

“We are always looking for ways to facilitate trade,” Mr Day assured.

Aside from agri-foods, Mr Day said, Canada is also offering opportunities for ties in investment and financial services, as well as insurance as Canada has proven that it can offer more stability than its neighbor.