Photo credit: PCO

The Philippines is turning up the heat on its trade game. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is on a mission to expand partnerships with Canada and other World Trade Organization (WTO) members, aiming to position the country as a major player in global commerce.

Meeting with WTO Director General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at Malacañang on Wednesday, the President shared his vision for ramping up trade and economic collaboration, especially as the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have big plans,” Marcos emphasized. “Trade has become more important than ever, and it’s clear that transformation is the key to staying ahead.”

Okonjo-Iweala, in her visit to meet with the Philippines' finance, trade, and agriculture leaders, had nothing but praise for the country’s economic performance.

“I was looking at the numbers, and you’re doing reasonably well—6% growth per annum in a challenging global environment with high inflation and low growth rates,” she said.

But that’s not all—President Marcos also sat down with Mary Ng, Canada’s Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development. The two discussed how Canada and the Philippines can build stronger trade ties, with Ng expressing excitement about the growing interest of Canadian businesses in the Philippines.

“We’ve been working hard to make the Philippines more business-friendly and investment-ready,” Marcos said, adding that partnerships with allied nations like Canada are crucial to turning the country into a top investment hub.

Ng is leading the Team Canada Trade Mission (TCTM) Philippines, a three-day event in Manila from December 4 to 6, bringing over 300 delegates from 180 companies. The mission is expected to generate significant investments, spark new partnerships, and create more jobs for Filipinos.

“We see a lot of opportunities here, and Canadian businesses are excited to explore them,” Ng said.