Philippines envoy says her country could become potential sugar market

FAISALABAD: The Philippines may become a potential sugar market for Pakistan, said Her Excellency Madam Dan Erwin C. Bagaporo, Ambassador of the Philippines to Pakistan.

Talking to Dr. Khurram Tariq President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), she expressed satisfaction over the friendly ties between the two countries and said that these relations must be capitalized in terms of economic cooperation.

She said that her country was interested to importing sugar, agriculture machinery and textile products from Pakistan while it could also extend technical services to Pakistan for the promotion of tourism.

She said that a sugar mill in the Philippines has been black listed while another is at the verge of closure. This situation may perpetrate sugar shortage and hence her country intends to fulfill its domestic needs by importing surplus sugar from Pakistan.

Madam Dan Erwin also mentioned a long list of items which could be imported or exported between the two countries and said that in this connection we must encourage direct links between the business communities of the two countries. She also assured to play her role in arranging trade delegations or B2B meetings so that businessmen could finalize their economic deals with their counterparts.

She also assured to visit Faisalabad in the mid of March to have direct links with the business community. Continuing she said that Philippine is importing textile products from Pakistan but its share is very nominal which could be enhanced to a reasonable level.

She said that earlier the Philippines was providing services which were trimmed to minimum, however these are still gaining momentum after the improvement of the overall economic situation in the world.

Dr. Khurram Tariq appreciated the cooperation between the two countries and said that Pakistan has potential to fulfill the entire textile needs of the Philippines. Similarly, the Philippines could help Pakistan to reorganize its tourism industry on modern scientific lines. President FCCI also invited her Excellency Madam Dan Erwin C. Bagaporo to visit Faisalabad as soon as possible. Senior Vice President FCCI Dr. Sajjad Arshad was also present during this meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023