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Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, has opened the country’s first Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO) in Manila, the Philippines. The move is part of Minister MacAulay’s strategy to increase productive trade within Malaysia and the Philippines, two key Indo-Pacific markets. The IPAAO is a joint initiative by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and was backed by a CAD 31.8 million (approx. $23.5 million) federal government investment. The IPAAO is set to strengthen Canada’s business ties across the Indo-Pacific region. The office’s mobile team will operate from a hub in Manila, working to build strategic partnerships that grow Canadian export opportunities and increase demand for the country’s products. The office will leverage Canada's expertise in food safety and sustainability, helping its partners within the Indo-Pacific region to tackle common challenges. Staff are already working with partners at the IPAAO to advance priorities such as food security, creating mutually beneficial opportunities, building on its existing relationships and enhancing technical cooperation, market access and trade. Minister MacAulay spoke at the opening: “We export nearly half of what we produce in Canada, and the global demand continues to grow. I have no doubt this office will play a central role in growing export markets for our world-class Canadian farmers and increasing collaboration and cooperation in this important region." Kevin Auch, chair of Pulse Canada, the national association representing growers, traders and processors of Canadian pulses, said: "The Indo-Pacific provides a unique opportunity for growth and diversification for Canadian pulses. This office demonstrates the Government of Canada's support for our sector proactively breaking down market access barriers and playing a direct role in expanding exports of high-quality, sustainable pulses across the region." Dave Carey, VP of government and industry relations at Canadian Canola Growers Association, commented: "Canada's 43,000 canola farmers rely on trade, 90% of the canola grown in Canada is exported as seed, oil and meal. The opening of the IPAAO sends a strong signal to our trading partners in the region that Canada is serious about market access, maintenance and development. The IPAAO is a key part of our strategy to diversify our export markets and establish long-lasting relationships in the Indo-Pacific." President of the Canadian Cattle Association, Nathan Phinney, added: "We have seen export opportunities continue for our high-quality Canadian beef to the Indo-Pacific region including with countries such as Japan, Korea and Vietnam. We are pleased to see the Government of Canada supporting our global trade efforts by opening this Indo-Pacific office, supporting our valued strategic partnership, and opening more trade avenues for Canadian beef producers." The Indo-Pacific region accounts for more than one-third of the world's economic activity. In 2023, Canada's agriculture and agri-food exports to the region reached CAD 22.8 billion (approx. $16.86 billion). You may also like to read: