Foreign chambers of commerce check potential of Ilocos Norte

LAOAG CITY, Philippines—Representatives of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in the Philippines recently explored Ilocos Norte’s potential for investment and showed interest in partnering in infrastructure development and the possible export of fresh mangoes and dragon fruits.

Michael Raeuber, president of the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP), said discussions on a free trade agreement between Europe and the Philippines had started, particularly on the promotion of Philippine products.

“Europe matters as it is the biggest consumer market in the world,” said Raeuber, who was accompanied here by representatives of the chambers of commerce of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico and South Korea.

He said Ilocos Norte’s mangoes and dragon fruits may be exported to Europe.

“Your dragon fruits and mangoes are fantastic products. Probably we can help in supply and logistics and packaging technology,” he said.

“Philippine mangoes are way better. I think they are the best in the world. The problem is short shelf life and expensive transportation cost. You cannot ship them in containers; you have to ship them by air,” Raeuber said.

He said Ilocos Norte officials may link up with farmers and producers, and partner with the European business sector to improve the packaging of perishable goods and reduce transport expenses.

Ilocos Norte has at least 100 hectares of dragon fruit plantations.

Mildred Dacuycuy of Refmad Farms, the pioneering dragon fruit plantation in the Ilocos region, said the company hoped to harvest at least 100 tons of dragon fruits a month to meet the demand of the export market.

Ricardo Tolentino, president of the Ilocos Norte Mango Growers Association, meanwhile, said about 100,000 mango trees were planted in the province.

Tolentino said, however, that only 10 percent of the total production was being exported to Japan and Hong Kong.

He said mango production this year was expected to increase by 40 percent despite a cecid fly infestation.

The Department of Agriculture and the provincial government funded a massive rehabilitation of mango trees last year, and this was expected to result in improved harvests this year.

Raeuber said the ECCP was establishing contacts with potential fruit buyers in Germany, the United Kingdom and The Netherlands.

“Problem now is your fruit fly and short supply,” he said.

Trade Commissioner Christian Clay of the Embassy of Mexico in the Philippines said the Philippine-Mexico Business Council, composed of at least 50 Filipino and Mexican companies, would be launched soon.

Clay added that two big companies in Mexico would be expanding business in the Philippines.

“I will be talking to them to come to Ilocos Norte and explore the province’s potential for investment,” he said.

ECCP representatives said Germany was also reopening opportunities for Filipino nurses.

Gov. Imee Marcos said the province was ready to welcome foreign investments, as proven by infrastructure development that is anchored on the Ilocos Norte tourism master plan launched in 2011.