The Philippines is hoping to hold the first round of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Canada in the first quarter of 2026, with the deal expected to be completed in the same year.

Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty, the country’s leading negotiator for FTAs, said he is meeting with his Canadian counterparts this week to finalize the reference paper, which will serve as the basis for officially launching negotiations.

Gepty said the document will cover the scope, coverage, and levels of ambition and commitment that would guide both countries throughout the process.

“In terms of the timeline, the target really is to finish the reference paper before the year ends, and then after that, proceed with the launching of the negotiations,” he told reporters.

If this holds true, the schedule for negotiations would be faster than what was indicated in the notice of intent submitted to the Canadian Parliament on Nov. 5.

It read: “The Government of Canada intends to commence negotiations with the Philippines no earlier than 90 days from the date of this notice.”

On the Philippine side, Gepty said the government is looking to hold the first round of talks “most probably” within the January-to-March period.

He said there is a clear urgency to conclude the talks quickly, especially as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. formally discussed the FTA with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney last month.

“The directive to us is to [launch and] conclude the negotiation next year,” said Gepty.

He said that while negotiations have yet to start, the country is primarily looking at the “purposes of diversification” when it comes to goods and services, especially as Canada could be the Philippines’ first bilateral FTA partner in North America.

Expanding market access to Canada is seen to be pivotal for domestic exporters, especially with its large Filipino community that could easily embrace the potential influx of locally made goods.

“That’s why we really have to work doubly hard. That’s why we’re hoping to finish the other pending negotiations as well, so we’ll have more time next year,” Gepty said.

One of the trade deals the Philippines is looking to complete is the regional FTA between members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada.

The conclusion of the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) is one of the 19 priority economic deliverables of the country, as it hosts next year’s ASEAN Summit.

Barrett Bingley, regional director for Asia of Vancouver-based think tank Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), has said that once negotiations for ACAFTA is finalized, expedited negotiations for the bilateral FTA with the Philippines are expected.

Bingley noted that the ACAFTA could serve as a framework for the FTA with the Philippines, along with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Gepty earlier said that the country had officially applied to be a member of the CPTPP back in August.

The Philippines’ accession process to the 12-member bloc is expected to commence next year, alongside Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), based on a joint ministerial statement of the CPTPP on Nov. 21.

Gepty said he has received positive feedback from CPTPP members, which include Canada, regarding the country’s potential inclusion into the free trade group.

“Our accession to CPTPP is an important agenda that we have to push,” he added.

The Philippines is also working on FTAs with Chile, the UAE, and Israel, as well as the European Union.