Wider trade with Syria, Iran eyed

The Philippine government is eyeing wider bilateral trade and technical cooperation in agriculture with Syria and Iran after their respective agriculture officials met recently with Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Q. Montemayor.

Montemayor disclosed that in separate meetings with Syrian Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform Noureddin Mona and Iran Deputy Minister and Head of Agriculture Extension Office (AREO) Rill Behzad Ghareyazie, he pushed for an increased in exports of tropical fruits, coconut products and carrageenan from the Philippines to both countries.

The two foreign officials were among those attended the recent annual general meeting of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) held in Makati last Oct. 28 to Nov. 2.

"We hope for an increase in coconut exports in two countries as both vowed to buy from us," Montemayor said.

At present, the country ships out coconut products such as coconut oil, desiccated coconut, coco chemicals, activated carbon, copra meal, copra and coco shell charcoal.

The DA chief said that as part of the individual commitments of both countries, Mona vowed an expanded fishery and fruit trade between Syria and the Philippines.

Montemayor said it was agreed that trade and research cooperation can be started between Syria and the Philippines considering that presently, there is no agriculture and fisheries bilateral cooperation with the former.

"We are targeting more exports of our tropical fresh fruits in Syria and in return the latter will be selling their their temperate fruits such as apples and citrus for minimal amount compared to that of the United States (US) and Australia," Montemayor added.

The Philippines can look at Syria as a trade foothold for the Middle East, he added.

He said one of the current imports from the Philippines is that of processed bananas. On the other hand, the Philipppines can look at Syria’s fresh cotton, citrus, wheat and barley.

"We can revive tuna trading with Syria since in 1998, a substantial level of export of this commodity was done. Syria does not produce tropical crops such as bananas and pineapple. It has also insufficient sugar and maize production," Montemayor added.

In research, he said, cooperation can be in the areas of water management and biological control considering Syria’s expertise in these areas.