Makinig kayo! International Agri Trader Says Phils. Must Promote Products

In his recent visit to Mindanao, Dubai-based Iranian Food Commodity Trader Aras Iz said the Philippines is missing so many export opportunities simply because the government does not have an agency to promote and market the country’s products.
In the Middle East, when traders talk about Dragon Fruit or Mango, they identify these products with Thailand, Aras told me when we were in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur to meet with Lobster growers.
He said that quality wise, Philippine mangoes are better but since the Philippine Government does not promote its products, nobody is buying from the country.
He said there is also no database for Philippine food products indicating prices and contact groups.
He also lamented the very poor logistics in the country making Philippine food products very expensive.
For so long, I had advocated that the National Food Authority be turned into a promotions and matketing agency of Philippine Agricultural products utilizing its corporate arm, Food Terminal Inc. in sourcing products directly from farmers.
This needs legislative action but for so long, our legislators have ignored this important innovation in governance.
Now that the advice is coming from an International Food Trader, I hope they will listen.

#GovernanceIsCommonSense!