President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged Canadian investors to take a closer look at the Philippines as a destination for mining, critical minerals, and energy partnerships, saying the country is ready for long-term and sustainable business cooperation.
“The Philippines is certainly open for business, ready for partnerships, and committed to create a long-term value to responsible resource development and sustainable growth,” Marcos said Friday, Canada time, during the Philippines-Canada roundtable discussion at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver.
The high-level dialogue, held on the sidelines of his official visit to Canada, focused on mining, critical minerals, and energy — sectors the Marcos administration is positioning as key drivers of future economic growth.
“As we continue to strengthen our economic ties, we look forward to working with Canadian partners in transforming opportunity into tangible investments, innovation, and shared progress,” Marcos said.
The President said the Philippines wants to become an active player in industries that will shape the future, particularly those tied to secure supply chains, clean energy, and advanced technologies.
He said the government is prioritizing high-potential sectors in the Philippine economy, including mining, especially nickel extraction and the export of raw ore, which he said could help the country move up the value chain.
Marcos also identified energy as another key area for collaboration, citing developments in the Middle East and stressing that energy security remains central to economic development.
Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry, the roundtable aimed to present the Philippines as a sustainable, predictable, and socially responsible hub for mineral processing.
The initiative seeks to attract Canadian capital for eco-friendly extraction technologies and renewable energy integration, while strengthening corporate social responsibility practices that benefit local mining communities.
Critical minerals, including nickel and copper, are key inputs in electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy technologies, semiconductors, energy storage systems, and advanced electronics. The government said these resources place the Philippines in a strategic position in global supply chains supporting the clean energy transition and the digital economy.
Among the Canadian firms that joined the discussion were B2Gold Corp. and OceanaGold Corp.
Marcos capped his Friday morning meetings with Canadian businesses by witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Business Council of Canada to expand business collaboration.