Team Canada Trade Mission to Indonesia and the Philippines
On this page
- Event details
- Program (in development)
- Who is eligible to participate?
- Why Indonesia and the Philippines?
- Opportunities for Canadian companies in Indonesia and the Philippines
- Travel considerations and expenses
- Register
- Resources
- Contact us
Event details
Registration is closed
As part of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development will lead a Team Canada Trade Mission (TCTM) to Indonesia and the Philippines. The trade mission will help Canadian exporters and innovators from across the country position themselves in these markets by showcasing their capabilities and competitiveness while facilitating long-term trade and investment opportunities.
Dates: Sunday, December 1 to Friday, December 6, 2024
Markets: Jakarta, Indonesia and Manila, Philippines
Priority sectors: The trade mission is open to companies and organizations from all sectors. The trade mission program will focus on areas of Canadian competitive advantage in these priority sectors:
- agriculture and processed foods (including fish and seafood)
- clean technologies, clean energy, green mining
- information and communications technologies
- infrastructure (nuclear, smart city, and airport technologies)
The business-to-business program stream (which includes pre-arranged business-to-business meetings) will be available only to eligible SMEs that operate in these priority sectors.
Format: In-market
Applicants may be notified of their acceptance to the trade mission on a rolling basis starting in mid-July.
Please see eligibility requirements below.
Program (in development)
The trade mission will include programming such as:
- networking opportunities with Minister Ng and Indonesian and Filipino business leaders
- on-site business briefings by our Trade Commissioners, senior officials, and key local industry players
- market overviews and/or roundtables with local industry players and experts
- pre-arranged business to business meetings (only applicable to companies selected for the B2B program stream)
Given the large size and the broad scope of Team Canada delegations, accepted applicants will be placed into one of two program streams.
1. General program
The General program provides delegates with market intelligence and networking opportunities through briefings and various networking events. This program stream does not include business to business meetings.
The General program stream automatically includes representatives from:
- Provinces
- Territories
- Municipalities
- Trade portfolio partners
- Chambers of commerce
- Trade associations
- Companies that are already well-established in the target market or at an exploratory stage of doing business in Indonesia and/or the Philippines
2. Business to Business (B2B) program
The B2B program includes the General program and a tailored program of pre-arranged B2B meetings. This will be offered to a select number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating within the priority sectors (refer to event details).
Who is eligible to participate?
Team Canada Trade Missions welcome:
- export-ready Canadian companies of all sizes, including exporters from diverse backgrounds, with strong potential to address opportunities in Indonesia and/or the Philippines and generate tangible business outcomes
- provinces and territories, municipalities and other Canadian organizations, such as trade associations and chambers of commerce, looking to expand their reach and engagement in the Indonesian and Philippine markets
Priority will be given to companies and organizations that:
- operate in the priority sectors (refer to event details)
- identify as being owned and/or led by entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds
- have strong potential to address opportunities in Indonesia and/or the Philippines and generate tangible business outcomes
Eligibility criteria for Canadian companies
To be considered for the trade mission, applicants must clearly demonstrate the following criteria:
- be export-ready and have demonstrated potential to succeed in the Indonesian and/or Philippine markets
- have a commercialized product or service or one close to commercialization
- be able to demonstrate that the products and/or services they seek to promote through the trade mission will result in significant economic benefit for Canada (e.g. increased production in Canada, employment creation, technology transfer, increased R&D activity, etc.)
- have conducted research on foreign markets and opportunities, especially preparatory work for the Indonesian and/or Philippine markets
- have a realistic and credible international business plan
- have allocated resources (human, material, time and financial) toward internationalization
Each application will go through an extensive assessment process to determine the most suitable stream for the organization.
The B2B program stream will be offered to a select number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the priority sectors. Assessment for this program stream will be based on:
- the SME's level of export and market readiness,
- local demand for the SME's product/service, and
- degree of sector-specific opportunities in the local market.
The General program stream may be offered to companies that:
- do not meet export and market readiness criteria because they are at an exploratory stage of doing business in the Indonesia and/or Philippine markets
- are already well-established in the target market and are in a position to arrange their own meetings using their existing network and resources. Examples include those that have an existing strong and successful relationship, either through a local office or with a local sales representative or distributor
Note: The General program does not include pre-arranged business meetings (B2Bs).
Please ensure your application includes all relevant and detailed information. Due to the high volume of applications received, evaluation will be based solely on the information provided. We are unable to follow-up in cases of incomplete information.
Interested in the Indonesian and Philippine markets, but unsure whether you are ready for this opportunity?
Eligibility criteria for other organizations
To be considered for the General program stream, applicants must clearly demonstrate the following criteria:
- have an interest in the trade mission's priority sectors
- have potential to contribute to fostering partnerships, knowledge exchange or economic development
- be able to bring demonstrated value to the trade mission in terms of expertise, resources or collaboration opportunities
Why Indonesia and the Philippines?
Indonesia
Indonesia boasts one of the most developed economies within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and is the world's fourth most populous country.
In 2023, its GDP was estimated to be USD1.4 trillion (around two-thirds the size of Canada's economy) and is growing at an impressive and sustainable rate of 5% per year on average since the turn of the century. It is forecasted to continue at this rate for at least the next five years.
According to Goldman Sachs, Indonesia will become the world's 5th largest economy by 2050. This significant growth presents a wide array of commercial opportunities for Canadian companies.
Indonesia is Canada's third largest trading partner in ASEAN. In 2023, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Indonesia totaled $5.1 billion. Canadian merchandise exports to Indonesia were valued at $2.3 billion, making it Canada's largest export market in ASEAN. Canada and Indonesia are currently negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to further expand trade relations.
Philippines
With the fastest growing economy across Southeast Asia in 2023, a young tech savvy population, English speaking market, and recent economic reforms, commercial opportunities in the Philippines are expected to continue on a high note.
In 2023, Canada-Philippines two-way merchandise trade totaled $3.4 billion, with the Philippines representing Canada's third most important export market in ASEAN.
Canada and the Philippines enjoy extensive and unique people-to-people ties, with almost one million people of Filipino origin living in Canada – one of the fastest growing diaspora communities in the country.
Canada and the Philippines are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2024. One of the key milestone events to mark this occasion is the Team Canada Trade Mission, which will further strengthen Canadian opportunities in this growing market.
Bilateral commercial exchanges between Canada and Indonesia and the Philippines could be further bolstered by the Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (Canada-ASEAN FTA), which is being negotiated. These negotiations seek to provide Canadian companies new preferential access to the ASEAN market, ensuring they are on a level playing field with key competitors.
Opportunities for Canadian companies in Indonesia and the Philippines
Agriculture and processed food (including fish and seafood)
Indonesia: In 2023, Canada's agri-food and seafood exports to Indonesia were valued at approximately $1.4 billion. Indonesia is Canada's largest agri-food market in the ASEAN region and has been identified by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) as a priority emerging market. There are numerous key opportunities in this market for Canadian agri-food companies, including:
- halal products
- meats (beef, pork)
- cereals
- oilseeds
- fish and seafood (e.g., salmon, crab)
Philippines: The Philippines has been a consistent and increasing net agri-food importer, with a fast-growing population of about 114 million. In 2023, Canada exported over $673 millions of agri-food products to the Philippines, positioning the Philippines as Canada's second top market in the ASEAN region. Canada's Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office was opened in Manila in February 2024 to further substantiate Canada's reputation as a stable and trusted supplier for agriculture, agri-food and seafood products. For Canadian agri-food companies, there is substantive interest in:
- animal feeds and feeds
- plant and animal genetics
- grains
- pulses
- meats
- seafood and aquaculture
- processed foods and beverages
Clean technologies, clean energy, green mining
Indonesia: Indonesia's transition to green economy and its commitment to reducing carbon emissions will require a set of new and innovative clean technologies, including:
- energy transition
- waste management
- water/wastewater sectors
Companies with cutting-edge technologies in renewable energy and sustainable resource management, such as water, wastewater, and waste solutions, should promote their capabilities in Indonesia.
In the mining sector, Indonesia is poised for significant growth in downstream industries over the next few years, creating tremendous opportunities for sustainable smelting technologies and innovative solutions to optimize refineries. Additionally, as the Indonesian mining industry seeks to decarbonize its operations, there will be a growing demand for technology and services in off-grid renewable energy applications at mine sites, aiming to replace or complement fossil fuels and support the energy transition.
Philippines: Renewable energy is a key priority given the country's power demand is expected to grow significantly by 2040, requiring an additional 43GW of power capacity. Water plays a critical role in the Philippine economy, supporting major industries such as agriculture, tourism, and health, but fresh water supply is limited and strained.
Other water-related hazards such as storms, floods and droughts add challenges, making water security a national priority. Stakeholders are adopting solutions to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and increase efficiency of water treatment facilities, desalination and water reuse.
Local water companies are seeking foreign investors, including Canadian pensions funds, to partner in ongoing and new projects. Water utilities are also investing in digital technologies to improve operational efficiencies.
The Philippines is the 5th most mineralized country in the world with untapped reserves worth an estimated $1 trillion, providing an opportunity for Canada's clean technology industry to play a critical role in the mining sector's energy transformation by delivering affordable, customized, and proven technologies and services.
With Canada as a significant investor in the mining sector in the Philippines, Canadian companies can develop and deliver innovative solutions to technical, social, and environmental challenges at mine sites, and provide technologies for green mineral supply chains that help mine operators achieve their carbon-reduction targets in the Philippines.
Information and communications technology
Indonesia: The Government of Indonesia sees digital transformation and strengthening the digital economy as important issues to address economic recovery and to ensure growth that is inclusive. These demands and plans for recovery and growth translate into potential opportunities for Canadian companies in cyber security sub-sectors that include fintech and e-commerce technologies. Indonesians are a very connected society with approximately 80% of its population (of 277 million people) having access to the internet. Shopping online/E-commerce transactions contribute the most to Indonesia's digital economy.
Philippines: The digital economy is a key driver of commerce, amounting to PHP 2.08 trillion or 9.4% of the country's GDP in 2022. Cybersecurity is a priority, in line with the Philippine government's National Cybersecurity Plan 2023-2028. There is increasing awareness of Philippine public & private stakeholders of transnational cyber threats and attacks, and their potential impact on the economic, political, and social security and stability of the country.
The country is a leader in e-wallet & fintech adoption with over 81 million active users as of May 2023. This necessitates the need for fintech-related solutions that improve digital payments services, such as:
- artificial intelligence (AI)
- fraud detection
- know your customer (KYC)
- anti-money laundering (AML) risk screening
Further, due to digital economy being a key driver of the country's growth, there is an increasing interest in network and connectivity/internet solutions, to provide wider and better internet access in the country.
Infrastructure (nuclear, smart city, and airport technologies)
Indonesia: There are significant infrastructure opportunities in Indonesia, which is planning major investment in the sector including the Nusantara new capital project. The government is striving to enhance connectivity to promote growth through development of land, sea, and air linkages, and achieve energy security through development of renewables and nuclear. Canadian solutions in smart cities (green infrastructure and intelligent transportation systems) and clean energy (including nuclear) can seek potential partnerships and pursue commercial opportunities with Indonesian stakeholders.
Philippines: Nuclear energy is in its early stages in the Philippines, presenting considerable opportunities for Canadian companies in the future. Canadian expertise in nuclear technologies, including SMRs and MMRs, engineering consulting services and skills development, can play a pivotal role in the development of this sector. Airport rehabilitations across the country, telco towers and municipal smart city initiatives offer additional tangible infrastructure opportunities.
Travel considerations and expenses
Travel advice and advisories
No matter where you plan to travel, make sure you check the travel advice and advisories page for your destination twice: once when you are planning your trip and again shortly before you leave. Safety and security conditions may change between the date you book your travel and your departure date.
Entry requirements
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Indonesia and the Philippines and must contain at least two blank pages for use by immigration officials.
We strongly advise that you contact the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia and the Embassy of the Philippines for all inquiries regarding visas and entry requirements. Please note that the Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination's entry or exit requirements.
Indonesia
Holders of a Canadian passport can obtain a visa on arrival when entering Indonesia, as long as the duration of your stay does not exceed 30 days. There is a possibility of a one-time extension for an additional 30. Although a visa can be obtained on arrival, it is recommended to apply before departure (The Official eVisa website for Indonesia).
Philippines
Holders of a Canadian passport do not require a visa to enter the Philippines, as long as the duration of your stay does not exceed 30 days.
You must register your entry and exit from the Philippines in the eTravel System. This is an online pre-arrival form and can be completed up to 72 hours (3 days) prior to your arrival in the Philippines. You must present your passport and an eTravel QR code for border officers to validate before leaving the immigration counter.
Travel arrangements and expenses
Participants are responsible for organizing their own travel arrangements, including all air and ground transportation to and from the airport, and to make their own accommodation reservations. Programming and travel information (such as local transportation options and hotel block bookings) will be provided to confirmed participants as information becomes available.
There is no fee to participate in the trade mission. However, participants are responsible for covering all related travel costs, including airfare, accommodations, ground transportation and meals not included in the program.
Important: Please make sure to purchase cancellation insurance and/or a refundable ticket in the event that the trade mission dates change.
Funding programs
Canadian SMEs interested in participating in a trade mission may be able to apply to CanExport, a Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) program that provides funding to help Canadian SMEs diversify their export markets. As CanExport is not currently accepting applications, we invite you to check the program website in the fall for more information on funding availability as well as applicant eligibility.
The Government of Canada, as well as individual provincial and territorial governments, also offer export financing and other programs that help Canadian businesses expand internationally. Please consult the Business Benefits Finder to find programs and services suitable to your needs.
Register
Registration is closed
All applications will be subject to a screening process to assess export readiness (for companies), eligibility and suitability for the trade mission. To deliver a robust program that is beneficial to participating companies, the TCS reserves the right to select those Canadian export-ready companies and other organizations that are the most aligned with the sectoral focus and the objectives of the mission.
We anticipate a high volume of applications for this mission. To maximize the number of organizations able to participate, a maximum of two company representatives can register for the trade mission. Some specific program elements may have capacity limits that may only allow for the attendance of one representative per company.
If you are selected to be part of the trade mission, you will be provided with a detailed program and additional resources to assist you in making your travel arrangements.
Applicants may be notified of their acceptance to the trade mission on a rolling basis starting in mid-July.
Resources
Contact us
Questions? Please contact the Team Canada Trade Missions Team at tctm-mcec.idn-phl@international.gc.ca or the Trade Commissioner Service.
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