PHL and UAE strengthen agri-fisheries trade ties

Officials from the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) met on April 27, 2023, to discuss expanding trade in agriculture and fisheries.

The meeting, hosted at the UAE Embassy in Taguig City, was a pivotal moment for both nations to explore new avenues for collaboration and market access.

Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for Administration and Finance Agnes Catherine Miranda, met with His Excellency Mohamed Alqataam Alzaabi, the UAE Ambassador to the Philippines, to discuss strategic cooperation.

According to a DA press release, the talks focused particularly on enhancing the export of high-value agricultural and fishery products from the Philippines to the UAE.

Undersecretary Miranda highlighted the Philippines’ keen interest in growing its export footprint, emphasizing high-value crops as a priority sector.

“Our aim is to not only expand our reach but also to further develop our agricultural sector through strategic international partnerships,” Miranda noted during the discussions.

Ambassador Alzaabi underscored the UAE’s robust market potential and strategic position as a commercial hub in the Middle East.

He expressed particular interest in Philippine products such as pineapples, mangoes, avocados, mangosteen, durian, buko juice, and tuna, pointing out opportunities for Filipino suppliers in major UAE supermarket chains like Lulu and Carrefour.

The meeting also served as a platform for future collaborations, with the Ambassador extending an invitation for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to attend the upcoming COP 28 in Dubai, scheduled for late November to December 12,