FAS Administrator Whitley Kicks Off Philippines Trade Mission
MANILA, Philippines, July 18, 2022 – Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley arrived in Manila today to launch a U.S. Department of Agriculture trade mission to help foster stronger ties and build economic partnerships between the United States and the Philippines. Whitley is joined by representatives from 29 U.S. agribusinesses and farm organizations and 10 state departments of agriculture who are interested in exploring export opportunities in the Philippines.
“The USDA Philippines trade mission will offer an abundance of opportunities for both the United States and the Philippines,” said Whitley. “I’m confident the next few days will produce mutually beneficial results to help expand trade, increase collaboration on key issues impacting agriculture in both our countries, and ultimately strengthen Philippine food security. We have a diverse group of U.S. agribusinesses and industry officials joining us in Manilla who can provide reliable, high-quality, and sustainably produced U.S. food and farm products to local buyers. The Philippines ranks as the eighth-largest export market for U.S. food and agricultural products, averaging $3.1 billion during the past five years, and we’re looking forward to increasing sales and meeting the growing demand from Filipino consumers for U.S. foods.”
This week, local staff from the FAS office in Manila will host business meetings between U.S. trade mission delegates and local companies seeking to import American food and farm products. The trade mission itinerary also includes three memoranda of understanding signing ceremonies, including one to a launch a USDA-funded program to help combat African Swine Fever in the Philippines, another to formalize deeper trade ties between the Province of Batangas and U.S. state departments of agriculture, and a third between Mariano Marcos State University and the U.S. Grains Council to support biofuel solutions and climate smart practices.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Administrator Whitley will hold a media teleconference upon his return from Manila on Fri., July 22, at 11 a.m. ET. Reporters interested in participating should email press-fas@usda.gov for dial-in instructions.
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