Philippines' APECO takes investment roadshow to Montreal and Calgary

The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) opened Canadian investment roadshows with a Montreal briefing on November 2 and is set to join an Alberta-Philippines trade and investment event in Calgary on November 5, pitching energy, infrastructure and defense opportunities.

The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) kicked off investment roadshows in Canada on Monday, November 2, pitching opportunities in priority sectors such as defense and energy to Canadian businesses, Logistics News PH reported.

Led by APECO president and CEO Undersecretary Gil G. Taway IV, the delegation held the Philippines–Indo-Pacific Investment and Tax Briefing in Montreal on November 2 and is set to take part in the Alberta-Philippines Trade & Investment Event in Calgary on November 5. The roadshows are in partnership with the Asian Consulting Group, founded by tax policy expert Mon Abrea.

Montreal and Calgary legs

Logistics News PH said the Montreal briefing was co-organized by the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Toronto, Fasken, the HEC Montreal Entrepreneurship Hub and the Canada-ASEAN Business Council. The Calgary leg is in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary, the Government of Alberta and Calgary Economic Development.

The Calgary event, organized by Alberta Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, runs from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm on November 5 at the McDougall Centre, according to its event listing. Listed speakers are:

• Consul General Emma R. Sarne, Philippine Consulate General in Calgary
• Mon Abrea, founder and chief tax advisor, Asian Consulting Group
• Undersecretary Gil G. Taway IV, president and CEO, APECO
• Nathan A. Nelson, director of Indo-Pacific trade, Alberta Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration

The pitch

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the ecozone in Casiguran, Aurora, is seeking Canadian investment in critical infrastructure, clean energy and defense manufacturing. Taway said the push aligns with Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, which commits an initial 2.3 billion Canadian dollars, or about P105 billion. The Inquirer quoted Taway as saying:

With strategic access to the Pacific, available land for energy projects, and investment incentives for locators, Apeco offers Canadian businesses a ready platform to power industry.

Philippine Consul General in Calgary Emma R. Sarne said the aim is to open new doors for Alberta and Saskatchewan businesses to invest in the Philippines, particularly in energy, agriculture, defense and advanced technologies.

About 100 business executives and representatives from sectors including energy, mining, critical minerals, defense, aerospace, manufacturing, agriculture and logistics are expected to attend the roadshows, both outlets reported. The delegation is also scheduled to visit Ottawa to meet the Canadian Commercial Corporation, the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries, JCM Power and the Sandstone Group.

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