SMALL and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the agri-business sector stand to benefit from trade missions recently facilitated by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO). Following a food diagnostics mission in October Taiwanese companies have expressed interest to purchase from Philippine producers of coffee, processed fruits, and wines and spirits belonging to six food cooperatives from Cavite, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City, according to MECO.

Also, MECO’s extension office in Taichung recently brought to Palawan a delegation from Long Dianne Biotechnology, which expressed interest in the native red grouper fish. Another firm from Taichung—Hwa Neng Biotechnology—expressed interest in investing in nurseries for castor bean, as well as Jatropha curcas—a plant which is said to be a source of renewable fuel.

MECO-Kaohsiung in November helped forge agreements for city-to-city sisterhood between Pingtung City and Lucena City, and also strengthened the ties between the Kaohsiung County Chamber of Commerce and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce.

The Kaohsiung office as well facilitated fact-finding trips to the Philippines of various Taiwanese industry associations and research institutes, such as Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center, Fengshan Tropical Horticulture Station, Pingtung Fish Breeding Association, Tainan Orchid Plantation, and other aquaculture companies.
BEN ARNOLD O. DE VERA