NZ company wants to import coco water, coco products from PHL

A major New Zealand food-importing company has relayed to the Philippines its interest in importing coconut water and other coconut products. Hamish McDonald, merchandise manager for Ambient Product and Global Sourcing, disclosed this to Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia Benavidez during a recent meeting. "(McDonald said) his company is interested in importing coconut water and a range of coconut products from the Philippines," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a news release early last week. The DFA said McDonald and Benavidez met last April 10, as part of the Philippine Embassy's economic diplomacy drive. McDonald said his company's interest to import food products from Asia has increased given the corresponding growth in the number of Asian migrants in New Zealand. "This is especially true for the Filipino community which is estimated to number more than 36,000 and has become an attractive market for the company," the DFA said. Ambient is a member of the influential Foodstuffs (Wellington) cooperative, which in turn is part of Foodstuffs New Zealand, which imports NZ$2.5 billion (US$2.025 billion) of food products. Its imports are valued at NZ$1.1 billion (about US$891 million), nearly half of the total amount, with Ambient supplying grocery chains throughout New Zealand with foreign food imports. "This makes Ambient a major player in the food importing business," the DFA said. During their meeting, McDonald told Benavidez Ambient's approach focuses on building long-lasting business relationships that emphasize a personal approach in getting to know their clients. Ambient's stresses corporate social responsibility (CSR) in partnering directly with food producers to help them get better prices for their produce. For her part, Benavidez said Ambient's core strategy is a perfect fit with the Philippines' priority on ensuring sustainable and community-driven economic development which would help generate employment, raise incomes and alleviate poverty. She also told McDonald Philippine mangoes are already being exported to New Zealand. Meanwhile, Benavidez and McDonald agreed that direct flights between the Philippines and New Zealand would boost trade and entry of more products between the Philippines and New Zealand. Benavidez assured McDonald the Philippine Embassy is taking the necessary steps and representations to attain this in the near future. She also gave McDonald two Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) compact discs containing a directory of trade associations and export companies in the Philippines. — LBG, GMA News