Pinili ng Canada ang Pilipinas bilang lokasyon ng bago nitong Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office dahil importanteng partner umano ang bansa sa pagbuo ng "economic relationship" at "people-to-people ties."
Inanunsyo ito ni Canadian Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau nitong Huwebes, Hunyo 8, habang nakipagpulong umano siya sa Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), kung saan napagdiskusyunan nila ang Indo-Pacific strategy.
“The Philippines is an important partner under the Indo-Pacific Strategy. Hosting this new Office is an opportunity to build on our economic relationship, and enrich people-to-people ties. Our Government will continue to help Canadian farmers, food processors and exporters maximize their opportunities, and diversify their markets in the world’s fastest-growing economic zone,” ani Bibeau.
Ang naturang opisina ay isang joint venture umano sa pagitan ng Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at ng Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Bubuuin ito ng isang mobile team na direktang makikipagtulungan sa Canadian diplomatic missions, Canadian stakeholders, foreign interlocutors at decision makers sa rehiyon para isulong ang mutual trade na mga layunin para sa sektor.
“The Office will work hand in hand with Government of Canada resources already in place in the Indo-Pacific, and will help strengthen partnerships, advance technical cooperation, support Canadian exporters in finding new business opportunities, and help position Canada as a preferred supplier in the region,” anang Canadian Embassy in Manila.
Nagpapakita naman umano ang pagtatatag ng Agriculture and Agri-Food Office sa ilalim ng Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) ng pangako ng Canada sa rehiyon at ang kahalagahan ng kalakalan, pamumuhunan, at katatagan ng supply chain upang suportahan ang sustainable economic development sa mga bansa sa Indo-Pacific.