Ortigas: Export-oriented commodities in the agriculture sector will take center stage in the first-ever Philippines Hand-in-Hand (HIH) National Investment Forum, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Monday. This came as the agency officially opened the first edition of the HIH national investment forum with international partners in Ortigas, Pasig City. The move is in line with the agency's target to position the Philippines as one of the leading agribusiness hubs in Asia.
According to Philippines News Agency, the forum focuses on research, policies, and modernization of the agriculture sector to identify gaps, issues, and concerns affecting private investment. DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa highlighted the significant investment potential in the country's commodities. Commodities such as coconut, mango, coffee, cacao, seaweeds, and jackfruit are emphasized for their potential.
The DA is also placing special emphasis on bamboo, the coffee sector, and the seaweed industry in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). This four-day event showcases regional inclusion by highlighting BARMM's unique potential with province-specific investments aligned with the region's capacities and goals.
Earlier, the DA announced plans to explore PHP1 billion worth of investment opportunities across these commodities under the 2026 HIH national investment forum. The activity aims to empower countries in eradicating hunger and poverty through data-driven agricultural modernization efforts supported globally.
International partners include the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Japan Fund, among others. FAO Representative Lionel Dabbadie emphasized the organization's commitment to supporting agricultural investments and modernization in the Philippines.
The Philippines has made significant advances, including bilateral meetings, signing agricultural cooperation agreements with Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea, and hosting upcoming international agricultural forums. Additionally, partnerships with the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Italy, and the ADB were secured in 2024.
