PHL seen to reap benefit from Canada’s 5 ‘interconnected pillars’ in Indo-pacific

OFFICIALS of the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines revealed Ottawa is pouring C$2.3 billion investments (around P93.6 billion) into the Indo-pacific Region, which includes the Philippines, to advance its five “interconnected pillars.”

During a meeting with reporters on Thursday in Makati City, the embassy officials bared that C$2.3 billion will be poured into the region for the “initial cycle” of Canada’s 10-year Indo-pacific strategy. This amount, the embassy official noted, will only be allotted for the first five years, beginning in 2023.

“The Indo-pacific Region will play a critical role in shaping Canada’s future over the next half-century. Encompassing 40 economies, over 4 billion people and $47.19 trillion in economic activity, it is the world’s fastestgrowing region and home to six of Canada’s top 13 trading partners,” Canada’s Indo-pacific Strategy document read.

The document highlighted that the Indo-pacific Region includes six of Canada’s top 13 trading partners, which are India, Japan, People’s Republic of China (PRC), Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Under the pillar of promoting peace, resilience and security, the embassy officials said Canada intends to promote stability in the Indo-pacific Region. The document, which contains the Indopacific strategy of Canada bared that Canada is allotting C$720 million for the implementation of the new strategy.

“The region is home to numerous security hot spots with potential global repercussions, and Canada must engage as a regional security partner to protect our national interests and security,” the Indo-pacific Strategy document read.

Some of Canada’s plans under this pillar are to: increase military engagement, deploy additional military assets, and expand military capacity building, among others.

Meanwhile, under the trade, investment and supply chain resilience pillar, the embassy officials unveiled that Canada is pouring C$244 million for this pillar. C$24.1 million of the allotted budget for this pillar will be allocated for the Canadian Trade Gateway in Southeast Asia.

“To expand Canada’s trade network at home and abroad, Canada will launch a Canadian Trade Gateway in Southeast Asia to expand Canada’s business and investment engagement, and networks in the region,” the Indo-pacific Strategy document read.

The said strategy also includes a pillar which intends to “invest in and connect people” in the region.

The document stressed “almost 20 percent of new Canadians come from the region, close to 18 percent of Canadians have family ties to the region and 60 percent of the international students coming to Canada hail from the Indo-pacific.”

In fact, one of the slides during the meeting revealed that the Philippines ranks second as a source of international students in Canada.

Canada will invest C$261.7 million into the region for this specific pillar.

The embassy officials said Canada also aims to “build a sustainable and green future.” They presented that Canada is allocating C$903 million for this pillar.

Under this pillar, Canada’s plans include supporting “oceans management initiatives and expanding measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Indo-pacific, including through our Dark Vessel Detection Program.”

As Canada engages with its partners in the Indo-pacific region, the strategy document noted that its priorities include “increasing our diplomatic engagement, forcing connections between like-minded countries and collaborating in common causes.” Under this pillar, the embassy officials presented that Canada will be allotting C$137 million.

Among the concrete steps that the country will take to intensify its strategy in the region is to transition to an Asean strategic partner. In addition, the embassy officials stressed that Canada will appoint a “special envoy” for the Indo-pacific region to coordinate a “whole-of-government” approach.

According to the embassy officials, Canadian investments into the Philippines have already reached C$2.6 billion or P106 billion. Meanwhile, trade in goods and services amount to C$3.5 billion or P142.5 billion between the two countries, as per the data presented by the embassy officials.