President Rody Duterte has assured Myanmar State Counsellor and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi of the Philippines help in the development of her country’s fledgling pineapple fibre industry by training technicians on how to grow the right variety of pineapple and inviting Myanmar weavers to train in Aklan Province.
In their 30-minute conversation in Nay Pyi Taw, the new capital of Myanmar, Pres. Duterte and State Counsellor Suu Kyi discussed cooperation in the field of agriculture among other things.
The Myanmar leader told Pres. Duterte that her country is starting its Pineapple Fiber Industry but the program is having difficulties in moving forward because of the lack of technical expertise.
I was seated very near the two leaders and when President Duterte signalled me to give more information, I informed State Counsellor Suu Kyi that the strong Piña fiber used in weaving the cloth comes from a distinct variety called Spanish Red.
The State Counsellor expressed interest in learning more about Piña Fiber production and the art of weaving the fibre.
Following the signing of an agreement on Agricultural Cooperation between the Philippines and Myanmar, I informed President Duterte that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Philippines could help Myanmar in the development of its pineapple fibre industry, including the training of Myanmar weavers in the Province of Aklan, the acknowledged home of the Piña Fiber Industry.
Aung San Suu Kyi appeared very delighted when I personally invited her to visit the weaving centres for Piña Fiber in Aklan when she visits the Philippines sometime this year.
The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Agricultural Collaboration and Cooperation between the Philippines and Myanmar was earlier signed by me and the Agriculture Minister of Myanmar in front of Pres. Duterte and Myanmar President U Htin Kaw in the Presidential Palace.
After the ceremonies, Pres. Duterte instructed me to support Myanmar’s Agriculture Program and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s Piña Fiber Development Project.
(Photos show Pres. Duterte and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi; a selfie with State Counsellor Suu Kyi; images of the Spanish Red Pineapple variety and the weaving centres in Banga, Aklan.)
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