NEWS RELEASES
CHAN TO LEAD TRADE DELEGATION TO THE PHILIPPINES
August 20, 1999 (1:30 p.m. EDT) No. 184
CHAN TO LEAD TRADE DELEGATION TO THE PHILIPPINES
Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan today announced that he will lead a
business delegation to the Philippines, August 23 to 27. Twenty-eight companies have
registered for the formal program, and another 20 Canadian companies with offices in the
Philippines are expected to join in some of the events.
"This is an excellent time for Canadian business to explore opportunities in the Philippine
market, which is showing signs of economic improvement and renewed growth potential,"
said Mr. Chan. "Our countries' bilateral trade surpassed $1 billion in both 1997 and 1998.
During this visit, I expect that we will enhance this trade relationship, particularly in areas
such as environmental and engineering services and technologies, high technology and
telecommunications, agri-food and transportation."
Mr. Chan's visit will begin in Manila, where he will introduce the business delegates to key
business leaders as well as to Jose T. Pardo, Secretary of the Department of Trade and
Industry. Mr. Chan will call on Vicente Rivera, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Transport
and Communications, Orly Mercado, Secretary of Defence, and Domingo L. Siazon, Jr.,
Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) will be
the first Canadian minister to meet the newly appointed president of the Asian Development
Bank, Tadeo Chino.
On August 24, the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) and the Canadian delegation will travel to
Davao City, the capital of the Mindanao region, where they will meet senior business and
government officials including the mayor of Davao City. Mr. Chan will address the Davao City
Chamber of Commerce.
The following day, the group will proceed to Cebu City, a major centre in the central
Philippines. There, Mr. Chan will introduce the business delegates to community and
business leaders as well as provincial and municipal officials, including Cebu Provincial
Governor Pablo Garcia. The delegation will attend a joint general membership meeting of
Cebu business organizations, where Mr. Chan will be the featured speaker. Mr. Chan will
also mark the appointment of an honorary consul for Canada in Cebu.
"I am pleased to be in the Philippines this year as our two countries mark the 50th
anniversary of diplomatic relations. It is an interesting time to reflect on the many changes
that our countries have undergone over the decades," said Mr. Chan. "During this visit,
Canadian business will showcase the goods and services they can offer to the Philippines as
that country continues its rapid progress toward development and renewed prosperity."
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A list of companies and organizations participating in the business delegation is attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Naseem Nuraney
Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
(613) 995-1852
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Canadian Companies and Organizations Participating in the
Trade Mission to the Philippines
August 23 to 27
("*" denotes a Canadian company or organization participating from its Philippine or
Southeast Asian representative office.)
Agri-food
AgHitech Corporation *
Agriteam Canada *
HDP Group (Asian ImEx Enterprises Inc.), Ottawa, Ontario
Park Tak International Corporation, Markham, Ontario
Chemicals
IOGEN Corporation, Ottawa, Ontario
Councils
CanAsian Businesswomen's Network *
Philippines-Canada Business Council, Ottawa, Ontario
Philippines-Canada Trade Council, Vancouver, British Columbia
The Philippines Chamber of Commerce, Toronto, Ontario
Defence
Int. Silvatech Industries Inc., Abbotsford, British Columbia
Engineering, environmental services and construction
ARMTEC Construction Products, Guelph, Ontario
BD & Lui Design Group Inc., Richmond, British Columbia
Golder Associates *
Sea Form Systems Asia, Inc.*
SNC Lavalin International * (and transportation, power)
Wardrop Engineering Inc. *
Financial services
Clarica, Ottawa, Ontario
Liberty Capital Partners, Toronto, Ontario
Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Manulife Financial) *
NetBank Group, Richmond Hill, Ontario
Machinery and equipment
Transco Plastic Industries, Montreal, Quebec
Power
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited *
Professional services
Ladner Downs Barristers and Solicitors, Vancouver, British Columbia
Stratexport Asia *
WLG et al. Procurement Monitoring, Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia
High technology and telecommunications
Global Enterprises, Calgary, Alberta (and agri-food)
Harris Corporation, Farinon Division *
Intermap Technologies Corp., Nepean, Ontario
SR Telecom *
Transportation
Canadian Airlines *
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