MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture is working on the details of a technical cooperation agreement on food and agriculture with the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, who met recently with Cambodian Agriculture Minister Ouk Rabun in Phnom Penh, said the agreement would promote technical cooperation and information exchange in food and agriculture.
A technical working group is being formed to flesh out the details of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would be signed this year.
“Creating more robust alliances with our counterparts in Cambodia and other Southeast Asian neighbors is high on the Department of Agriculture’s agenda, as it is both timely and necessary towards achieving national food security and inclusive socio-economic progress in an era of an integrated ASEAN community,” said Alcala.
The ASEAN economy, which would be fully integrated this year, offers numerous opportunities for increased agri-fishery trade and investments, he noted.
“The job of the department is to provide and facilitate the needed resources, policies and linkages to turn these bright prospects into reality,” he said.
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Cambodia is among the countries that have rice procurement agreements with the Philippines along with Vietnam and Thailand. This means that these are the only countries qualified to supply the government with rice under a government-to-government procurement scheme.
Alcala said his meeting with Rabun allowed both countries to re-affirm their shared commitment to push for closer relations.
Alcala likewise reiterated DA’s invitation to the Cambodian official to participate in the 37th gathering of ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in Manila on Sept. 7-12, 2015.
Held annually, this year’s AMAF meeting is expected to take stock of developments about the preparation of ASEAN members for the regional economic integration in terms of enhanced food security and trade.
Climate change and other pressing issues, as well the need to come up with strategies for stronger partnerships with dialogue partners, international organizations and private sectors, are also expected to be discussed.
The DA chief was accompanied in his call to Rabun by other Agriculture officials that included Assistant Secretary for Planning & Project Development Orlan Calayag, International Affairs Division officer-in-charge Ma. Araceli Albarece, and Special Agriculture Representative Ms Ana GM Abejuela.
Also present were officials of the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia, including Chargé d’ Affaires Myca Magnolia Fischer, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Monika Kamille Limpo, and Attaché Freddie Ta-a.
