Panel for Joint Agro-fisheries Projects Created

Agriculture Undersecretary Berna Romulo Puyat and Marriz Agbon, the president of the Philippine Agriculture Development and Commercial Corporation (PADCC) will represent the country in the said panel.

Puyat is undersecretary for special concerns while Agbon is the focal person for the DA Biofuels Feedstock Program, reports GMA News.tv.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap on behalf of the Philippines and Minister Hassan A. Fakhro of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The event was witnessed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Bahrain Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Salman Al Khalifa.

The MOU on agro-fisheries cooperation between Manila and Manama was among the agreements signed between the two governments during President Arroyo’s short visit to Bahrain last week.

The joint committee will meet twice a year—one meeting to be held in Manama and the other in Manila—to study and come up with detailed programs for cooperation in the areas of agriculture and fisheries between the two countries.

The joint committee will also be required to submit a report jointly prepared and certified by the Secretary Agriculture of the Philippines and the Minister of Industry and Commerce and the Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Under the MOU, the Philippines and Bahrain have committed to reinforce bilateral cooperation in the areas of plant science, crop technology, vegetable and fruit preservation, biotechnology, post-harvest technology, livestock and fisheries, organic agriculture, aquaculture, coastal and deep-sea fishing management, irrigation and water resources, halal industry.

Both countries have committed to achieve greater cooperation in these areas.