Vice Mayor of Davao City Government, Paolo Duterte, and five Davao City Councilors, held a business trip to Shanghai, China last month in a bid to increase exports there.
The vice mayor led a city delegation to Shanghai on October 26 to 30, following an invitation from Shanghai officials and the Chinese Ambassador to the country.
City Council majority floor leader, Councillor Bernard Al-ag, described the trip as productive, saying the city will benefit from the improved relationship between the Philippines and China.
Al-ag said they discussed three areas for development: agriculture, infrastructure and real estate, and tourism.
The officials learned that only four agricultural products - mango, banana, pineapple, and pomelo - are currently allowed for importation from Davao City to China.
"The goal now is to increase the number of agricultural products to be accepted by the China government. We would like to include durian, mangosteen, avocado and other vegetables," Al-ag said.
The Councillor said a forum has been scheduled in Shanghai this December to thresh-out the importation protocol for every agricultural product.
He added that the Department of Agriculture Secretary, Emmanuel Piñol, will attend the forum to finalize the agreement.
Source: sunstar.com.ph
