RP, Brunei agree to strengthen bilateral ties in agriculture

MANILA, Philippines-The Philippines and Brunei Darussalam have agreed to cooperate in plant science, crops technology, vegetable and fruit preservation, biotechnology, post-harvest technology, livestock, organic agriculture, irrigation and water resources and Halal industry. Aimed to strengthen bilateral ties between the two Southeast Asian countries, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources last week. “This MoU provides for a general framework for bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture for the purpose of fostering sectoral development and with a view of enhancing agri-related trade and investment between the Philippines and Brunei," Yap said. In a bid to promote private sector initiatives and partnerships in agriculture and farm-related trade and investments, both governments will create a joint committee to study and formulate detailed programs for cooperation. The Philippines and Brunei will exchange scientific or technical information in agriculture aside from professionals, scientists, technical experts and trainees. Studies, agricultural products trade fairs and exhibitions will be conducted. There will also be cooperation in food and commercial sectors and food industries, technology transfer and innovation, implementation of activities related to trading in agricultural products. The two countries can also identify other areas to work together such as sanitary measures relating to import or export of agricultural products. The five-year MoU can be extended for another five years. The Philippines urged Brunei officials and business leaders to invest in palay and corn, high-value commercial crops, poultry, marine and Halal sub-sectors. -Ruby Anne M. Rubio, GMANews.TV