Phl has good advantage in agriculture, says Chinese exec

NANNING, China – A high-ranking Chinese official said yesterday the Philippines has a “very good advantage” in agriculture after a Philippine government official invited Chinese officers and scientists to come and visit the Philippines for cooperation in agricultural technology.

Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya met with Li Daqiu, vice chairman of the Guangxi Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

The 8th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) is being held in this city, capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is co-sponsored by the ministries of commerce/trade and industry of China, the 10 ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat.

The trade exposition is being held concurrently with the 8th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.

During the meeting, Li noted that both countries could further discuss cooperation agriculture and tourism.

“I can see that the Philippines has a very good advantage in agriculture,” Li told Maglaya.

Asked if the Philippine government would invite Chinese officials to the country, Maglaya said “yes.”

“It’s the area we want to explore.”

She said there had been talks in the past about bringing in scientists and technicians from China to the Philippines “to really find out which are the areas where we can have partnerships with them and what would be these technologies. “

Li also said China is looking forward to DTI’s continuous support for the CAEXPO and seeking further mutually beneficial agreements on industries, culture, trade and education.

Maglaya said the exposition not only gives Filipino businessmen a chance to sell their products but also to seek opportunities for growth.

“This is a good opportunity to get partners in business and show what we have and also learn from others,” she said. 

Maglaya mentioned new technologies used in other countries in areas of agriculture and electronics. 

She also cited the trainings that Filipinos could get from foreign counterparts participating in the exposition.

Maglaya said minerals, agriculture and electronics are the top areas wherein foreign investors are interested when it comes to the Philippines.