MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines, through its government fisheries arm, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture, takes the chairmanship of this year’s 27th session of the Governing Council of the Intergovernmental Organization for Marketing Information and Technical Advisory Services for Fishery Products in the Asian and Pacific Region.
Officially known as INFOFISH, this intergovernmental organization is the leading source of marketing support for fish producers and exporters in the Asia-Pacific region which includes some of the largest fishing nations in the world.
The INFOFISH Governing Council composed of 14 member countries takes turn in hosting its annual meeting. This year’s session was held this past week at the Heritage Hotel Manila in Pasay City. Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Fisheries Salvador S. Salacup led the opening ceremony as the guest of honor.
Eleven member countries participated, namely, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Thailand. Iran, Democratic People’s Republic (DPR) of Korea and Solomon Islands were not be able to participate this year’s meeting.
Included in this year’s agenda are the accomplishments for the period December 2011 – November 2012; a presentation by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations; review of major markets, technological developments; and a report of the 26th meeting of the Technical and Advisory Board, program of work for 2012/2013, observations/ statements by delegates and observers among others.
The main mandate of the organization is to help the fishery industries in the member countries through provision of marketing intelligence and improved market access for the export industries; capacity-building in fishery trade, aquaculture, post-harvest, processing and quality development of fishery products for domestic and export markets; market promotion and diversification; buyer-seller matching services; promotion and publicity (e.g. publicity in INFOFISH publications and website, participation in international seafood exhibitions, etc.); market research and advisory services among others.