Overview

From December 4 to 6, 2024, the Government of Alberta is taking part in the Team Canada Trade Mission in Manila, while leading a large delegation of multi-sector Alberta companies to enhance trade relationships and facilitate investment opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Team Canada Trade Mission focuses on areas of Canadian competitive advantage in agriculture and processed foods, clean technologies, clean energy, green mining, information and communications technologies and infrastructure.

The Alberta opportunity

With some of the world’s largest oil and gas reserves and the lowest taxes in Canada, the province of Alberta is an innovative leader in responsible energy development, emissions reduction, clean technology and value-added agriculture. Located in Western Canada, Alberta is home to some of the world’s most livable cities with a young, educated, innovative, entrepreneurial and diverse population, a burgeoning tech sector and one of the most business-friendly climates in North America.

Alberta’s mission to the Philippines

In the Philippines, the Government of Alberta will discuss shared priorities in energy, agriculture, technology and infrastructure.

Alberta will support Alberta-based companies in business-to-business meetings and networking events. The government will also meet with officials and industry representatives and connect with companies interested in investing in the province.

Alberta’s robust energy sector presents opportunities for collaboration with the Philippines in terms of energy exploration, emissions reduction and investment. Alberta’s strengths in agriculture, food processing, technology and infrastructure can support the Philippines in continuing to build its economy.

Minister’s message

Alberta has an incredible story to tell on the world stage and I look forward to advancing our shared interests with the Philippines. Our province boasts the most investment-friendly environment in Canada, a competitive tax system, a highly educated workforce, a world-class education system and a robust research and development pipeline."

  • Photo of Matt Jones

    Biography

    Matt Jones was sworn in as the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade on June 9, 2023. He previously served as the Minister of Affordability and Utilities and the Minister of Children's Services.

    Prior to his service as an elected official, Mr. Jones worked as an investment banker helping Alberta based businesses with capital raises, acquisitions and divestitures.

    Mr. Jones is a CFA Charter holder and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business.

    Matt Jones was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-South East on April 16, 2019 and was re-elected on May 29, 2023.

Alberta-Philippines key facts

  • $305M in 2023

    Alberta-Philippines total trade

  • 24%

    Increase of Alberta's commodity exports to the Philippines from 2022 to 2023

  • Top export destination

    20th largest export destination for Alberta commodities

  • Health sector partnership

    In 2022, Alberta and the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assist in the recruitment of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to the province.

Photograph taken in Manila, Philippines

Trade with Alberta

The Philippines is the third-largest export market in Southeast Asia with significant potential for Alberta companies.

In 2023, Alberta exported approximately $196 million worth of goods to the Philippines, with wheat as the top export. Other top exports included animal protein, aircraft, meat and wood.

Alberta imported approximately $109 million worth of goods from the Philippines in 2023. The top Alberta import was casings and tubings for oil and gas drilling, while other top imports consisted of reception appliances, electronic circuits, ignition sets and electric accumulators.

There are emerging trade opportunities in energy, clean technologies, agri-foods and mining, and additional sector opportunities in healthcare technology and infrastructure that Alberta and the Philippines can further explore to enhance the bilateral trade relationship.

Investing in Alberta

To support potential investors, the Government of Alberta offers wayfinding services, online investment tools and sector specific knowledge to help businesses, operators and investors to grow their investments in Alberta.

In collaboration with economic development partners such as Invest Alberta Corporation, the government takes an ecosystem approach to ensure that the support to investors is coordinated between governments, private industry and other partners. This support includes, but is not limited to:

  • coordination of investment service with partners, including governments, investors, operators and economic development agencies, among others
  • wayfinding support for project proponents to address issues that require cross-government coordination and advocacy
  • data to support investment decision-making using the Alberta Site Selector Tool, a self-serve digital platform that helps businesses and investors find and evaluate suitable properties to expand or locate their business in communities across Alberta. Additional economic data is available on the Alberta Economic Dashboard.

Key sectors

  • Energy and emissions reduction

    Alberta's oil sands have the fourth-largest proven oil reserves in the world, with reserves equal to about 157.6 billion barrels.

    The Philippines produces oil, natural gas and coal. Geothermal, hydropower and other renewable sources account for a significant share of electricity generation. The Philippines is a net energy importer and is increasingly turning to LNG imports and other competitive lower cost fuels to power the country.

    Alberta has significant expertise and experience in environmental and energy policies, regulations and best practices related to renewable energy, emissions management, hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization and storage.

    In the Philippines, geothermal, hydropower and other renewable sources account for a significant share of electricity generation. Nuclear energy development in the Philippines is also an emerging area.

  • Agriculture and agri-foods

    In 2023, the top Alberta commodity exported to the Philippines was wheat, comprising 35.1% of total Alberta exports to the Philippines.

    The Philippines is a growing market for Alberta agri-food exports and overall is a net importer of agri-food products, with a well-established food processing industry and growing food service industries providing new opportunities for Alberta meat, food and food ingredient’s exporters.

  • Technology, artificial intelligence and life sciences

    Alberta is an internationally recognized technology and innovation hub that develops and attracts talent, business and investment to grow these sectors and diversify Alberta’s economy.

  • Infrastructure

    For both Alberta and the Philippines, opportunities exist in the construction sector for materials and equipment. Airport renovations present opportunities in the infrastructure sector in the Philippines.

  • Advanced education

    Post-secondary education is another area where Alberta and the Philippines have established connections. Many Filipino students pursue higher education in Alberta, benefitting from its world-class educational institutions.

Learn more about Alberta’s market opportunities that are right for you: Why choose Alberta

Trade and export expansion contacts

Rahul Sharma
Director, Trade – Indo Pacific and Oceania
Trade and Export Expansion Branch
Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade
Government of Alberta
Alberta, Canada

Phone: +1-780-203-8359
Email: [email protected]

Cole Baker
Senior Trade Officer – Indo Pacific
Trade and Export Expansion Branch
Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade
Government of Alberta
Alberta, Canada

Phone: +1-780-504-0867
Email: [email protected]