PHL eyes increased exports to European agriculture center

Philippine officials in Europe are considering tapping the European Center for Fruits and Vegetables in Brussels, Belgium as an outlet for the increased export of Philippine agricultural products to the region. Ambassador-designate to Belgium and Luxembourg Victoria Bataclan, who heads the Philippine Mission to the European Union, visited the center, one of its kind in Europe, last Oct. 13. "In the meeting (with Center director Thierry Nuttin), she shared with Director Nuttin her vision of tapping all possible avenues to increase the trade of Philippine goods in Europe," the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Bataclan also relayed her interest to increase Philippine exports of agricultural products as she noted the inroads made by the Philippines in technology, innovation and research. With her in the visit to the center were Agricultural Attaché Jose Laquian and Celso Enriquez, Team Leader for the fruits and vegetable sector of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Growth with Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM) Program. The USAID-GEM program aims to accelerate economic growth in Mindanao and to assure that as many people as possible can equally benefit from this growth. It had sent its own representatives from the Philippines to visit the center and explore market opportunities for Philippine exotic and tropical fruits and other produce. Established in 1981, the European Center for Fruits and Vegetables is a 13-hectare world-class integrated supply chain facility where first-grade quality fruits and vegetables from around the world are stored, showcased and traded. It has 28 importers and exporters, and boasts of an annual sales turnover of €500 million and 950,000 metric tons. — LBG, GMA News