12 March 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Petronila P. Garcia, together with four other Heads of Mission from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) based in Ottawa, met with the Premier of Alberta, the Honourable Jim Prentice, on 11 March 2015 at the Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton.

Premier Prentice extended a warm welcome to the group and said that Alberta is looking to enhance economic relations, partnership and friendship between the province and the ASEAN region.

Ambassador Garcia expressed thanks for the generous support extended by the province of Alberta to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

Ambassador Garcia underlined the significant contributions by the over 113,000 Filipino migrants and workers in Alberta to the economic growth and prosperity of the province. She noted that the growing number of the Filipino community in the province will pave the way for greater linkages and economic relations between the Philippines and Alberta.

Ambassador Garcia noted that the Philippines Airlines (PAL) is the only airline providing direct flight from Southeast Asia to Canada. She expressed hope that Albertan investors look to the Philippines as an investment hub in Asia and take advantage of the many opportunities created by the Philippines' robust and resilient economy.

The ASEAN Heads of Mission are undertaking an official visit to the province of Alberta from 11 to 13 March 2015. They are meeting with Alberta government officials, private companies, educational institutions and non-government organizations.

The ASEAN is the 7th largest trading partner of Canada. By the end of 2015, the ASEAN Economic Community will be realized and become the hub of a vast network of global manufacturing and production bases, and a consumer market of over 650 million. (END)