Canada has chosen the Philippines to house its new agriculture and agri-food office in the Indo-Pacific region as it considers the latter as its "important partner" to build more economic relationship and people-to-people ties. Canadian Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Thursday announced that Manila will be the intended home base for the new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office after discussing the Canadian strategy in the region with the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA). The new office is a joint venture between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which will consist of a mobile team working directly with Canadian diplomatic missions, Canadian stakeholders, foreign interlocutors and decision makers in the region to advance mutual trade objectives for the sector. "The Office will work hand in hand with Government of Canada resources already in place in the Indo-Pacific, and will help strengthen partnerships, advance technical cooperation, support Canadian exporters in finding new business opportunities, and help position Canada as a preferred supplier in the region," the Canadian Embassy in Manila said. In establishing a home base in the Philippines for its Indo-Pacific strategy, Bibeau said the Canadian government will help its farmers, food processors and exporters to maximize their opportunities and diversify their markets "in the world’s fastest-growing economic zone."