The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem) and the Management Association of the Philippines-AgriBusiness and Countryside Development Foundation (MAP-ABCDF) will conduct a free seminar on the latest food trends and innovations with leading agribusiness experts at Ifex Philippines.
The export-promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry ties up with the MAP-ABCDF to invite leading researchers and educators to conduct food-related discussions on May 19 and 20 at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).
MAP-ABCDF is a leading non-governmental organization in agribusiness and countryside development that provides access to innovation, entrepreneurship, management services and leading-edge technologies through its network of movers and shakers in the Philippine
agricultural sector.
“For the 11th edition, Citem has prepared a good lineup of seminars that can help international and local stakeholders make informed decisions in conducting export deals and making investments on the lucrative food sector in the Philippines,” newly appointed Citem Executive Director Clayton Tugonon said.
The two-day talk, titled “Agribusiness Research and Development”, will tackle Philippine food innovations, modern farming applications and agricultural developments in the country’s leading research institutions, such as the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and Sugar Palm Research Information and Trade Center at the Cavite State University.
On May 19 Dr. Shirley Agrupis from Mariano Marcos State University will share the research and development efforts on the Ilocos Norte black garlic using the technology adopted from Japan and South Korea. UPLB researcher Claudette Oraye will talk about the business potentials and production of indigenous vegetables in the Philippines.
For May 20 Dr. Ofrero Caparino, chief of the Department of Agriculture’s bioprocess engineering, will discuss the opportunities in a village-level coconut water-processing system. Petteri Makitalo, general manager of The Freefood Co., will, likewise, discuss the development of cacao and coconut sugar into premium export products.
“Aside from helping buyers, these discussions are beneficial to local micro, small and medium enterprises, so they can track the significant advances in the agribusiness and countryside development and see how they can benefit if they implement or adapt to this progress,” MAP-ABCDF President Melito Salazar Jr. said.
Ifex Philippines is slated from May 19 to 21 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and at the PTTC in Pasay City.
Citem is encouraging Philippine and international exporters and manufacturers to participate in the biggest food, ingredients and beverage trade fair in the Asia Pacific.