Applications for biz-related visas for Canada on the rise

CEBU, Philippines - Aside from the strong interest of Filipinos to migrate to Canada, a growing number of entrepreneurs are now eyeing to take advantage of Canada’s strong economy, specifically in the fields of construction, food processing, and real estate.

In an interview with Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (CanCham) president Julian Payne, he said that Canada is an attractive country for business, as it is not affected by the twin economic crisis that hit the United States and Europe.

Pinoy Care Visa Center echoed Payne’s statement as it observed a growing number of Filipino entrepreneurs now applying for business-related visas for Canada.

Pinoy Care Visa Center president and chief executive officer (CEO) Prisca Niña Mabatid said that her company has observed a growing number of Filipino entrepreneurs from Cebu and other areas in the Philippines, signifying the growing interest to establish businesses in Canada.

Mabatid’s company was one of the major sponsors during the 145th Canada National Day in Cebu.

Mabatid said most entrepreneurs from the Philippines are signifying interest to open businesses in construction, real estate development, and even food processing manufacturing in Canada.

Payne was in Cebu Monday to celebrate the 145th National Day of Canada, which was attended by members of the CanCham-Cebu Chapter members, held at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel Cebu.

Mabatid, whose company is one of the largest consultancy firms that focuses on processing immigration transaction to Canada, said that although the Canadian Embassy in Manila is now temporarily stopping the processing of Visa applications until January of 2013, applications are still coming in big volumes.

At present, the Philippines is the number one supplier of immigrants to Canada, with over 500 (and growing) Filipinos now residing and working in Canada.

Payne said the chamber is also intensifying its effort to attract more members of CanCham-Cebu chapter in order to facilitate concerns and programs that will help the trading between Canada and Cebu.

Payne said there is a growing interest of Canadian market in important agricultural goods from the Philippines, specifically Cebu. Cebu’s processed food like dried mangoes, among others, are now exported in growing volumes to Canada.

Last year, following the establishment of CanCham in Cebu, the organization held an activity that was designed to help Cebuano businesses to get easy financial access in Canada.

The Exim Bank of Canada, a government-owned financial institution, led by its senior trade commissioner of the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines, brought in executives from the bank to help Cebuano traders find opportunities to avail of financial assistance from the Canadian government.

Aside from the financing aspect, CanCham Cebu is also geared at addressing several problems that are local in nature, however also have national impacts. These are for instance, the concerns on mining, insurance industry, food, telecoms, among others. (FREEMAN)