Israeli business mission seeks opportunities in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - An Israeli business delegation composed of firms engaged in water service and agriculture technologies is in the country to explore business opportunities and to forge linkages with Filipino companies.

Recognizing the potential of Philippine agriculture and developments in water resources, Israeli economic and trade mission, in partnership with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), held a two-day business meeting in the country Monday and Tuesday.

Doron Hemo, head of the Israeli economic and trade mission to the Philippines, said the participating companies held dialogues with major Filipino conglomerates engaged in water and agriculture, one of which is the group of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

“We hope the MVP group would be able to visit Israel this summer to see what the country has to offer,” Hemo said in a briefing in Taguig City Monday.

Companies represented in the delegation such as water system solutions providers Ooval Valves Ltd. and A.R.I Flow Control Accessories Ltd. also held meetings with Metro Manila Water concessionaires Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services.

The Israeli delegation held business meetings Tuesday in Cebu City. Other companies represented in the delegation are dairy technology provider Afimilk, agriculture turnkey projects providers Agrotop and TopGreenhouse Ltd., vegetable postharvest technology provider Eshet Eilon, and micro-irrigation services provider Netafilm Ltd.

Israeli Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau said Israeli businesses recognize the potential of Philippine agriculture as a mover of the Philippine economy.

“The idea is to turn the Philippines into an exporter of quality (agricultural products). The Philippines should invest in the development of the agricultural sector as it is a high-yielding industry,” he said.

Donald Dee, PCCI chief operating officer and honorary chairman said that while enough attention is given to the cultivation of grains, much has to be done for the development of the dairy subsector and improvement of postharvest technology for high value crops.

“We already have good postharvest technology for bananas and pineapples but we want to do this for vegetables also,” he said.

The sugar industry, he said, would also benefit from improvements in processing technology as it prepares for heightened competition that is expected from the full implementation of the ASEAN single market in 2015.

In meetings with Philippine companies, the Israeli firms discussed technology offerings for dairy production, turnkey projects fro livestock, post-harvest treatment, crop protection, agronomy, greenhouse technology, water system control, and water management.