DTI Chief: PH is a promising Gateway Destination for Agribusiness

BEIJING, CHINA—Trade and Industry Secretary Fred Pascual presented the Philippines as a promising gateway for agricultural and agribusiness products during the Roundtable Meeting (RTM) on Agribusiness held on 5 January 2023. The Meeting was led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr and attended by Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senator Imee Marcos, other members of the Cabinet, and Chinese companies engaged in agribusiness.

The RTM provided an overview of the Philippines’ Agribusiness Sector and facilitated the sharing of the country's major interests in establishing cooperation with China and maximizing the potentials of our bilateral agricultural cooperation, especially in areas such as agri trade and agribusiness investments.

Secretary Pascual emphasized the agricultural and labor assets of the country and mentioned that, "As an agriculture-based manufacturing hub, the Philippines has a large domestic market of more than 110 million Filipinos. Our country’s rising middle-income class drives consumption. In 2021, private consumption comprised over 70% of Philippines’ GDP. We also have a large working-age population and a growing pool of skilled workforce.

Clearly, the Philippines is a highly promising production base for agribusiness. Thus, we invite you to consider the Philippines as an investment destination for plantations and processing facilities."

The meeting covered three key sections: (1) Trade; (2) Investments; and (3) Agricultural Inputs. The Philippine Delegation pushed for an increase in the number of Philippine fresh produce with access to the Chinese market and confirmed that the market for Durian fruit is now open to Philippine exporters and Chinese importers. Following the signing of the protocol on market access for Philippine Durian to China, participating companies conveyed purchase intentions for Philippine fruits of as much as US$ 2.09 Billion.

Furthermore, a total of USD1.72 billion worth of investment pledges were gathered in areas such as Durian production, processing and marketing, coconut and other food processing, as well as on alternative green technology for animal feeds, and other agricultural products.

DTI, in collaboration with other government agencies and key stakeholders, remains committed in transforming agricultural farming into a thriving agribusiness-driven sector through science, technology, and innovation. This can contribute not only to diversify and increase the value of agricultural inputs but also to attain inclusive growth and rural development.

PH Bamboo Industry Development Council Identifies New Bamboo Roadmap Strategies to Create more Jobs, Attract Investments

The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) boosts its efforts in addressing the challenges of the country’s bamboo industry. PBIDC Chairman and Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez shared that the council has identified new approaches and strategies to grow the industry that will lead to investments and job creation.

“We are updating our strategies and expanding the list of government agencies as well as private sector partners to be involved in the development of this industry. It will be a whole-of-nation approach to ensure sustainable progress. We are also working closely with long-time bamboo industry advocates House Deputy Speaker Deogracias Victor DV Savellano and the Philippine Chamber of Mines official Atty. Leo Dominguez,” said Sec. Lopez.

During the council meeting on 16 October 2019, strategies were set such as identification of more land suitable for bamboo plantation; sourcing of right species and planting materials; propagation strategies; setting up of treatment facilities; product development assistance; exploration on the potentials of bamboo fiber as well as its byproducts; and inclusion of bamboo in crop insurance. The council is also looking at establishing bamboo industries at the barangay level to provide jobs and business opportunities in the countryside.

The inclusion of the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Climate Change Commission, as well as National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) as partner agencies were discussed.

DTI is currently assessing its 101 Shared Service Facilities (SSF) on bamboo processing nationwide. The agency is also consolidating bamboo's market potentials. It will likewise tap the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for skills development, training, and scholarships on bamboo production and processing. Meanwhile, the DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards will work on setting up standards for bamboo products.

“The goal is to make the development of the bamboo industry more inclusive. Encourage farmers to plant bamboo and provide economic activities in their communities,” Sec. Lopez added.

As one of its initiatives, the PBIDC together with industry partners showcase high-value bamboo-made products at the ongoing Manila FAME. Contemporary designs of Filipino bamboo manufacturers and artisans are featured in the premiere lifestyle exhibitions in Asia Pacific.

DTI sees 80-M sales for MIMAROPA MSMEs in Agri-Trade, Tourism Fair

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hopes micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) region would generate P80 million in sales as it leads the fifth edition of the MIMAROPA Naturally Agri-Trade and Tourism Fair on October 16 to 20, 2019 at the Megatrade Halls 1 and 2, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

At least 280 MSMEs from the provinces of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan will strut their wares of local products and tourism destinations during the five-day fair, which will also feature the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Gen special setting with over 150 new and upgraded product designs.

DTI MIMAROPA Regional Director Joel B. Valera said the high sales expectation was due to the high quality and competitive products of the region’s MSMEs as the agri-trade and tourism fair is also expected to help jumpstart MSMEs’ vision of penetrating mainstream domestic and export markets, which will result job generation locally to support the Trabaho and Negosyo agenda of the administration.

Earning only at a paltry sale of P4.7 million in its opening in 2015, the MIMAROPA Naturally Agri-Trade and Tourism Fair has since garnered much attention in succeeding years as last year’s edition raked a whopping P70 million—far from its actual target of P50 million sales.

“MIMAROPA MSMEs’ enthusiasm in this agri-trade and tourism fair is very high since we started this trade fair in 2015, we set the bar higher by providing them business technical assistance. We make sure we closely monitor the MSMEs’ progress so we can allure buyers from the capital. Hopefully we can reach or even exceed the target,” Valera explained.

Products that will be exhibited during the agri-trade and tourism fair include processed food, furniture and home furnishings, wearables, such as fashion accessories, bags and footwear, and gifts and holiday decors.

One of the highlights of the fair is the OTOP Next Gen special setting that will feature MSME products that were assisted by the agency through the OTOP Next Gen program by improvement and innovation in the areas of quality, product development, design, packaging, standards compliance, marketability, production capability, brand development, among others.

In addition to the highlights, the agency also invited over 500 institutional buyers from Metro Manila for the closed-door buyers’ hour to help MSMEs link with large and expand the reach of their products.

Payments can also be made on a cashless basis as the DTI has adopted an electronic payment transaction to help capacitate MSMEs and utilize online payment solutions. Buyers can pay using GCash, PayMaya, and Dragon Pay applications.

The 2019 MIMAROPA Naturally Agri-Trade and Tourism Fair is in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Tourism (DOT), and in coordination with the provincial and city governments of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.