The governments of Philippines and Myanmar are now working closely to strengthen each other’s farm sectors, especially improving fisheries production
In the first meeting of the Philippines-Myanmar Joint Committee on Agriculture (JCA) in July 2018, both the countries agreed to collaborate on a number of sectors, including agriculture, fisheries development, agro-food value chain etc.
The Philippines have proposed collaborative activities on fisheries including its interest to land fishery products from the Indian Ocean and establish fisheries processing facilities in Myanmar.
The country also highlighted that the collaboration would be a win-win situation considering that the Philippines has a good track record in combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) and is an EU GSP + beneficiary.
Additionally, the Philippine also proposed a working visit on mungbean production and reiterated its intent to export day old chicks, meat, meat products and shallots to Myanmar. The country also expressed its intention to invest in Myanmar which was received favourably.
Myanmar informed the Philippines that priority areas are on cold chain and fish processing.
Myanmar presented six work plans and training proposals for collaboration with the Philippines in the field of food processing and value-adding, broodstock management of shrimp, seed sector development, buffalo breeding, pasture development and agricultural machinery. Both countries have set specific action items to initiate work in the agreed collaborative activities.
Upon agreement, the JCA will be conducted every two years.
