President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines was fully prepared to engage in business discussions with Canada, noting that the country was keen on being an active contributor in industries that would shape the future.

Marcos delivered the remarks during a roundtable discussion with Canadian business leaders at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver which was part of his four-day visit to the North American nation.

“The Philippines is certainly open for business, ready for partnerships and committed to create a long-term value to responsible resource development and sustainable growth,” he said.

“As we continue to strengthen our economic ties, we look forward to working with Canadian partners in transforming opportunity into tangible investments, innovation, and shared progress,” he added.

The President mentioned that his current administration was looking to collaborate with nations that could help maximize its resources, particularly the mining industry with minerals such as nickel and its ability to export raw ore.

He further said that such partnerships were meant to ensure that the economy was ready for the future through securing its supply chains and building a more competitive business sector overall.

The forum was established through the Department of Trade Industry (DTI), inviting many Canadian corporations such as the B2BGold Corp. and OceanaGold Corp.

Talks revolved around the vast mineral reserves that the country had to offer, meant to attract foreign investment to boost not only the country’s ability to generate income but also ensuring that local communities were able to benefit in the long-term.

One of the goals of the partnership was to institutionalize corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices aimed at reducing the ecological footprint and making sure that corporations were more accountable when it came to their impact on society.

After participating in the said roundtable discussion, Marcos also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Business Council of Canada as part of his activities on Friday, 3 July, in Canada.