Earlier this week, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business and the first Filipina Cabinet minister and member of Parliament in Canada’s history, concluded her official visit to the Philippines, marking 75 years of strong bilateral relations between the two nations. Minister Valdez took part in productive bilateral engagements with Filipino government officials, women community leaders, entrepreneurship organizations, and leaders in the small business and start-up communities. She advanced discussions on strengthening bilateral economic ties and highlighted opportunities for further cooperation on supporting small businesses in both countries, as well as in the Filipino-Canadian community.