Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. recently met with Norwegian Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster to discuss agricultural trade and areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Norway. The two countries have an existing six-year-old Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The Philippines and Norway have a long history of bilateral relations, primarily centered on the maritime sector. In recent years, the relationship has expanded to include various business sectors, labor migration, and peace and reconciliation efforts. Approximately 18,000 Filipinos now call Norway home.
During his courtesy call on Secretary Tiu Laurel earlier in September, Ambassador Lyster emphasized Norway’s goal of increasing trading activity with the Philippines. The Philippines has an FTA with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which allows for duty-free trade in a wide range of products, including fish, and provides preferential treatment for investments.
EFTA includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The Philippines-EFTA agreement entered into force in 2018, with the exception of Iceland, where it took effect two years later.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry, economic relations between the Philippines and EFTA are relatively small, but there is significant potential to expand trade and investment. The Philippines’ top export to Norway is seaweeds, while Norway exports salmon and cheese to Manila. Norway’s fertilizer company, Yara, is also now operating in Davao.
Sec. Tiu Laurel acknowledged the potential support Yara could provide in the Department of Agriculture’s efforts to substantially increase food production and lower fertilizer costs, which are key inputs for boosting farm yields.
Ambassador Lyster expressed willingness to arrange a meeting between the Bureau of Plant Industry and Yara, which is currently working with farmers in Davao to increase durian yields and promote sustainable farming practices. He was accompanied by Charge d’Affaires Geir Michalsen and Norwegian Embassy senior business and trade advisor Ana Maria Francesca Florentino.
The Norwegian ambassador also informed Sec. Tiu Laurel that four personnel from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are visiting Norway to learn about aquaculture, fish processing facilities, and disease control measures. He noted that the BFAR personnel would also be exposed to Norway’s marine research programs.
The DA chief expressed confidence that Ambassador Lyster could facilitate Norway’s support in boosting seaweed production by next year. In addition to seaweed, Norway also imports from the Philippines canned sardines, live tropical fish, and coconut.
The DA chief requested that the Norwegian envoy share insights from Norway’s successful experience in developing and managing agricultural cooperatives. The DA is looking to strengthen agricultural cooperatives to help farmers improve their incomes.
Sec. Tiu Laurel underscored his interest in Norway’s recirculating aquaculture system, which could be implemented in the Philippines to enhance fish production. ###
