MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is strengthening its ties with Colombia and Argentina to improve agricultural trade relations with the South American nations.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol recently met with newly-designated Colombian Ambassador to the Philippines Victor Hugo Echeverri and outgoing Argentinian Ambassador to the Philippines Roberto Bosch.
“Colombia has expressed its interest to buy Philippine tilapia, and a Colombian company has partnered with us in designing a modern rice-processing complex facility in North Cotabato,” Pinol said.
A Colombian embassy in the Philippines is under construction in a bid to strengthen foreign relations between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Argentina and the Philippines drafted a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation and assistance for the livestock industry.
“Argentina also offered to assist in the development of a technical assistance project on grain storage and drying technology for the Philippines,” Piñol said.
The Philippines will also bring in cattle from Argentina without compromising its foot-and-mouth disease free without vaccination status.
Last September, the DA said it would buy more beef from Argentina as additional exporting companies had been accredited by the government after meeting the necessary standards.