Who should apply: Innovative Canadian firms with export-ready water and wastewater technologies, and the capacity to scale and pursue demonstration opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region
Canadian water and wastewater technology mission to the Philippines and Malaysia
Event Type: Trade mission
Date: November 26 to December 3, 2025
Location: Manila, Philippines and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Venue: To be confirmed
Industry(ies): Clean technologies, Information and communications technologies
Application deadline: June 13, 2025
Time commitment: 8 days
Event description
Are you a Canadian cleantech company ready to scale globally? As part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, the Advancing International Clean Technology Demonstrations (AICTD) initiative supports pilots and demonstrations of leading Canadian cleantech innovations with partners across Indo-Pacific markets. The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) are pleased to invite you to express your interest to join the AICTD mission to the Philippines and Malaysia, taking place November 26 to December 3, 2025 .
This mission will focus on innovative water and wastewater technologies and the program will feature:
- market briefings
- site visits
- networking events
- tailored business-to-business (B2B) meetings with local organizations and end-users focused on water and wastewater technologies
Why the Philippines?
The Philippines faces growing water and wastewater management challenges driven by rapid urbanization, climate change, and uneven distribution of water resources. While major river basins and groundwater support agricultural, industrial, and domestic needs, pollution, over-extraction, and aging infrastructure continue to strain the system. Expanding access to safe drinking water and improving wastewater treatment—especially in underserved urban and rural areas—are national priorities. The Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan (PWSSMP) outlines a roadmap toward universal access to safe water by 2030, with an emphasis on infrastructure investment, operational efficiency, and sustainable water resource management. There is increasing interest from local utilities and government agencies in adopting innovative technologies that address non-revenue water (NRW), decentralized treatment, and digital water solutions.
Why Malaysia?
Malaysia is undergoing a water sector transformation focused on sustainability, modernization, and digital innovation. Despite generally sufficient water resources, the country faces distribution inefficiencies with close to 60% NRW in some states, water quality issues, and infrastructure constraints, particularly in industrialized and high-demand regions. The Water Sector Transformation 2040 (WST 2040) initiative is driving reforms aimed at improving service delivery, encouraging private-sector participation, and supporting adoption of advanced technologies. Utilities and regulators are increasingly open to digital platforms, AI-driven tools, and modular treatment systems to improve performance and environmental compliance. Manufacturers are increasingly seeking to adopt water solutions in line with the zero-discharge policy introduced by the government. Canadian firms with expertise in smart water management, energy-efficient treatment, and integrated solutions are well-positioned to engage in collaborative demonstration projects and long-term partnerships with Malaysian stakeholders.
Ready to take the next steps? Submit your expression of interest to be considered for this opportunity.
Note: Participation in the AICTD initiative is subject to eligibility screening. All applications will be reviewed through a vetting process jointly conducted by the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). For further details, please refer to the information provided in the registration link.
Benefits of participating
- Gain insights and market intelligence.
- Develop a first-hand understanding of the opportunities and challenges of doing business in foreign markets.
- Meet key commercial entities, industry players, and potential buyers, investors and/or partners.
- Meet key regulatory bodies.
- Participate in networking events.
- Participate in pre-organized business to business meetings.
- Receive on-the-ground assistance from the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service.
- Pitch your product /service to selected audiences.
- Canadian SMEs selected for participation will be invited to apply for up to $5,000 reimbursement of 75% of travel and accommodations costs associated with the mission. This travel funding support is administered by NRC IRAP.
How the program works
- B2B matchmaking: The TCS will organize curated B2B meetings, connecting Canadian companies with international partners, investors, and clients to explore new business opportunities.
- Networking opportunities: Join TCS-hosted networking sessions to connect with key industry players, government representatives, and global leaders, fostering collaborations that support international growth.
- Site visits
Testimonials
Our mission experience was highly valuable, offering a unique opportunity to engage in pre-arranged meetings with key stakeholders and gain insights through site visits. The tailored B2B meetings arranged by the Trade Commissioner Service facilitated meaningful discussions with industry leaders. The structured itinerary helped us connect with potential partners and understand the market landscape. These interactions strengthened our strategic direction and opened doors for future collaborations. We appreciate the well-organized approach that made this trip productive and impactful.
Contact us
The Canadian water and wastewater technology AICTD mission to the Philippines and Malaysia is co-led by the AICTD regional Trade Commissioner and the cleantech Trade Commissioners in the Philippines and Malaysia, in close collaboration with NRC IRAP and ISED partners.
For more information or inquiries, please contact: cleantechdemonstrations@international.gc.ca.