SASKATOON - Philippine Ambassador to Canada Leslie B. Gatan exhorted Canadian businessmen to make a strategic move, and look towards the Philippines as their definitive gateway into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and Asia.
The Ambassador further highlighted the shared social and commercial values between Filipino and Canadian peoples as building blocks for furthering trade and commerce among their enterprises and markets in increasing productivity and improving the quality of life in both countries.
The key take away message of Ambassador Gatan was made in the Canadian heartland, as he addressed the distinguished members of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce at the exclusive Saskatoon Club in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on 26 May 2012.
In a similar manner, Mr. Ken Zeigler, Business Consultant and partner at the GPC Capital Corporation, who moderated the open forum with the Chamber, also provided a compelling testimonial at expanding commercial and business ties between Canadian and Philippines companies. Mr. Ziegler exhorted his colleagues to look at the Philippines, not just as a source of migrants and laborers, but also as potential savvy business partners in a global economic environment.
Ambassador Gatan highlighted "positives, challenges and opportunities about the Philippines," as he drew focus on "strong and sound" economic fundamentals of the economy. According to the Ambassador Gatan, as the Philippines performed modestly "better that than any European country, the US or even Canada," the future is "all the more bright for many areas of the economy" and expressed confidence that many "sunrise" industries resonate with the business men in attendance.
The Ambassador focused on "compelling accounts, reports and testimonials from experts, individuals and enterprises that either follow closely the developments in the Philippines, or those who have made the right decision to become partners with us."
The Ambassador emphasized a number of the dynamic sectors such as BPO, mining and agriculture, construction and infrastructure , and energy.
The Ambassador also made mention of parallel efforts by the government at improving the business climate by promoting "transparency in all transactions by stamping out corruption, making the investment environment more attractive, helping our industries become more competitive, and exercising prudent fiscal management by increasing revenue and calibrating public expenses."
The Ambassador capped his presentation with a reference to the Philippine "X-factor" - the Filipinos themselves who are regarded as among the most "cheerful, caring and friendliest peoples in the world." The Ambassador recalled his various sorties to various places in Canada, where a consensus is apparent - "Filipinos are among the most hardworking, industrious, and reliable workers and managers in any business in any place in Canada. "
With Filipinos now becoming "the largest source of new migrants and temporary workers to Canada," this serves to validate the notion that Filipinos typify "true traditional Canadian values - values of hard work, personal responsibility, devotion to family, and respect for tradition."
The Ambassador expressed the optimism that it would be advantageous for both Canadian and Philippine enterprises to come together as "natural social and business partners in Asia."
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