The country’s biggest and fastest-rising food and agribusiness firms gathered together with prospective investors in the hope of generating investment and market linkages with foreign counterparts during the first ever Agriculture Trade and Investment Forum (ATIF) on May 24, 2018 at the AG New World Manila Bay Hotel.
The event, jointly organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), involved business-matching and related activities, which aim to create livelihood and income opportunities in the countryside.
“We would like to invite you to take a closer look at opportunities in the Philippines, you will realize that we have a lot to offer,” Agriculture Secretary Manny F. Piñol said.
With a 9.4 percent growth in Gross Domestic Product, Piñol said investing in agriculture will push for the attainment of the government’s goal of improving business climate and stronger focus on agriculture and agribusiness development.
One of the highlights of the event is an exhibit showcasing wide varieties of agricultural products have gained local and international attention prior to DA promotional activities.
Dubbed as Rising Stars, the products, aside from having unique taste, promote nutritional value and possess versatility. These include cacao, calamansi, coffee, heirloom rice, and pili nuts.
“DA also needs investors for other rising stars such as adlai, kamias, tabon-tabon, and butuan to preserve its culture,” Undersecretary for High Value Crops and Rural Credit Evelyn G. Lavinia said during her presentation.
During the event, investors were able to taste and experience the Rising Stars, along with other products such as suha, sampaloc, siling labuyo and dalandan.
The agri chief also urged investors to take a look at the market for the country’s top agricultural commodities: abaca, coconut, dried mango, carrageenan, processed shrimps and condiments. He also asked investments for processed meat, dairy and its dairy products mainly for local consumptions.
“Aside from these, we also urge you to look at the country’s agro-industrial, agro-forestry, aqua-marine economic zones,” Piñol said.
ATIF 2018 complements IFEX Philippines, the country’s biggest international food trade event. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)
