Michael Harvey, Executive Director of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), today issued the following statement in response to the opening of Canada´s Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (“the Office”).

“We welcome the opening of the Office, which Canada´s agri-food exporters have long advocated for. Canada needs qualified professionals in place to develop the long-term personal relationships that are so important in the Indo-Pacific business culture.

We are pleased to see Minister MacAulay opening the Office personally, and I have travelled to Manilla with CAFTA members to participate in the opening as a sign of our support.”

CAFTA has co-chaired with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) the Industry Working Group that has ensured alignment between government and stakeholders as plans for the office has progressed.

The Indo-Pacific is home to some of the world’s largest and fastest growing markets and represents a significant opportunity for Canada to diversify its agri-food exports and strengthen our economic activities.

The Office will help address the rise of non-tariff barriers, which have prevented Canada from achieving its full potential in the region. Priority trade negotiations in the Indo-Pacific include bilateral talks with India, Indonesia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the continued expansion of the Comprehensive Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).