Author: DA-AFID | 23 March 2017
President Rodrigo Duterte has assured Myanmar State Counsellor and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi of the Philippines’ help in the development of her country’s fledgling pineapple fiber industry by training technicians on how to grow the right variety of pineapple and inviting Myanmar weavers to train in Aklan Province.
In their 30-minute conversation in Nay Pyi Taw, the new capital of Myanmar, President Duterte and State Counsellor Suu Kyi discussed cooperation in the field of agriculture among other things.
The Myanmar leader told President Duterte that her country is starting its Pineapple Fiber Industry but the program is having difficulties in moving forward because of the lack of technical expertise.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol informed State Counsellor Suu Kyi that the strong Piña Fiber used in weaving the cloth comes from a distinct variety called Spanish Red.
The State Counsellor expressed interest in learning more about Piña Fiber production and the art of weaving the fibre.
Piñol informed President Duterte that the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines could help Myanmar in the development of its pineapple fiber industry, including the training of Myanmar weavers in the Province of Aklan, the acknowledged home of the Piña Fiber Industry.
Aung San Suu Kyi appeared very delighted when Piñol personally invited her to visit the weaving centres for Piña Fiber in Aklan when she visits the Philippines sometime this year.
The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Agricultural Collaboration and Cooperation between the Philippines and Myanmar was earlier signed by Piñol and the Agriculture Minister of Myanmar in front of President Duterte and Myanmar President U Htin Kaw in the Presidential Palace. After the ceremonies, President Duterte instructed Piñol to support Myanmar’s Agriculture Program and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s Piña Fiber Development Project. ### (photo grabbed fro Sec. Manny’s FB account)
