Philippines inks MOU on agri development with ASEAN member-states

The Philippines, through its private sector representative, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on agriculture cooperation and small business development with eight other ASEAN member-states.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the agreement aims to jointly conduct “studies and mentorship channels with Filipinos for potential agriculture, agriculture technology, food security, agri-preneurship business models and value chain development among small, medium, and large farmers, enterprises, and government entities.”

The PCO said that under the joint cooperation, development of trade and investment opportunities in various agricultural commodities including rubber, rice, corn, fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural services is expected to be explored.

Separate MOUs were inked for each cooperation with Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Indonesia through their respective ASEAN-Business Advisory Council (BAC) representatives.

The same MOU between the Philippines and Malaysia had already been signed during President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Malaysia in July this year.

Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, vice-chairman of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council of the Department of Trade and Industry, represented the Philippines in the ASEAN-BAC

Marcos and other ASEAN leaders attended the roundtable dialogue with the ASEAN-BAC on Tuesday afternoon. — Hana Bordey/RSJ, GMA Integrated News