cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/8887260

Canada is investing $2 million in an economic hub in the ​Philippines backed by the United States ‌and Japan, its trade minister said on Tuesday.

Canadian trade minister Maninder Sidhu said in ​an interview during his visit to ​Manila that the investment will be ⁠for a future project aligned with ​the Luzon Economic Corridor.

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The corridor is a ​key manufacturing hub on the Philippines’ largest island, where Japan and the United States have already committed ​to ramp up infrastructure investments under ​a trilateral framework agreement.

• Canada’s participation comes a day after ‌the ⁠United States, Japan and the Philippines announced the expansion of the corridor to include seven new partner countries such ​as South ​Korea, Australia, ⁠the United Kingdom and France.
• Sidhu said he spoke with Philippine ​officials and explored possible investments in data centres, ​nuclear ⁠energy and logistics.
• Canada and the Philippines are in the middle of negotiations for ⁠a ​free trade agreement. Sidhu ​said they can conclude talks “in the coming months”.

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