Philippine Agriculture and Fishery Products Showcased in Int’l Trade Show

Philippine agriculture and fishery products took the spotlight at the 2nd SIAL-ASEAN Manila international trade show, which attracted at least 10,000 visitors from 40 countries, making it the biggest B2B (business to business) platform for the Philippine food industry and the rest of the Southeast Asian region.

“The first SIAL ASEAN-Manila held last year proved that the ASEAN market offers a tremendous potential for investment opportunities for the entire sector,” said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala during the event’s opening on 17 June 2015 at the World Trade Center.

With 7,500 local and international buyers from 33 countries, the 2014 gathering of the members of the ASEAN Economic Community is a force in the food and beverage industry.

Sec. Alcala urged industry players, international buyers, potential clients and exhibitors to maximize their participation in the 2nd SIAL-ASEAN Manila which offers global networking opportunities where business connections can be developed and trade transactions facilitated and completed.

“The occasion augurs well for the Philippine government as trade with ASEAN partners continue to improve with greater regional cohesion, harmony and peace,” he added.

With tariff barriers significantly eliminated in 2010, the Department of Agriculture continues to strengthen its regulatory functions and policies as non-tariff measures remain to protect human, plant and animal health and safety with increased trade.

The government recognizes that because of regional integration initiatives, complementation is more important than competition.

“Thus, ASEAN member states continue to enhance intra-regional trade with drastic growth of trade in intermediate goods and development of cross-border value chains,” Alcala explained.

DA is determined to strengthen its collaboration with government agencies and non-government organizations, farmers’ cooperatives, the academe, agribusiness groups and other stakeholders.

The agency also continues to focus resources on key infrastructure to make the agri-fishery sector more productive and resilient in the face of global developments and climate change.

“Together with the members of the ASEAN Economic Community, the Philippines look forward to achieving sustainable development and a deepening of economic integration.”

Since 1964 Salon International de l’Agroalimentaire (SIAL) has become the venue where the latest innovations in the food industry come to light to help pave the way to the advancement of the global food market.

Source: www.da.gov.ph