Manila: Canada is set to deploy its largest trade mission to Manila this December, aiming to bolster the presence of Canadian exporters and innovators in the Philippine market, as confirmed by the Canadian Embassy in Manila on Thursday. The mission, scheduled for December 4-6, will comprise over 300 delegates and will be spearheaded by the Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Mary Ng. According to Philippines News Agency, this trade mission marks an unprecedented scale for Canada, surpassing previous missions to Japan and Korea. Guy Boileau, the Senior Trade Commissioner at the Canadian Embassy, emphasized the significance of this mission, highlighting Canada's strong interest in engaging with the Philippines. The mission will target sectors where Canada holds a competitive edge, such as agriculture, processed foods, clean technologies, clean energy, green mining, nuclear, information and communications technologies, and infrastructure. The program in Manila will include on-site business briefings conducted by Canada's trade commissioners and senior officials, alongside market overviews with local industry players and experts. The mission anticipates interaction with at least 100 businesses from the Philippine side. In a briefing held in Makati, Boileau pointed to several factors driving Canada's increasing interest in the Philippines, including its young, tech-savvy, English-speaking population and recent economic reforms, notably the CREATE MORE (Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy) law. He noted the Philippines' projected GDP growth of 6 to 6.5 percent for 2025-2026, positioning the country as a strategic hub for companies looking to establish operations and serve the broader region. In 2023, the total two-way merchandise trade between Canada and the Philippines reached USD 3.4 billion, with the Philippines ranking as Canada's third most significant export market in Southeast Asia.