IN LINE with the Duterte administration’s move to extend relations with nontraditional partners, the country expressed intent to export fruits to Azerbaijan while looking at the Eurasian country as an alternative source of oil.
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez met with Azerbaijan Ambassador Tamerlan Garayev on May 31 to discuss trade opportunities between Baku and Manila.
“Our meeting with Consul Garayev is part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s strategy to seek out nontraditional trading partners. We see a lot of complementation between our countries,” Mr. Lopez was quoted in a statement on Monday.
The dialogue tackled boosting trade on food and, possibly, oil, and addressing both countries’ aims to bolster the development of their education and tourism sectors.
“PH is keen on exporting tropical fruits, like bananas and mangoes, to AZ. Exporting to the Eurasian country is also a boon for PH’s Halal industry, since its population is predominantly Muslim,” a statement by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) read.
The agency noted that Mr. Garayev cited the Philippines’ distinction for its mangoes and even identified Philippine national hero Jose Rizal as his childhood hero.
The Philippines sees itself potentially benefitting from Azerbaijan’s oil and natural gas industry, which makes up 90% of the country’s total exports.
The Azerbaijani ambassador also noted that his country needs to buoy the work force of its tourism and agriculture industries.
“Since there are only 300 Filipinos in AZ, Sec. Lopez suggested that Filipinos fill these vacancies,” the DTI said.
“The two countries will form a Joint Economic Commission to further these talks beginning with possible government-to- government transactions,” the DTI added, noting that the two countries could establish a student-teacher exchange program and tourism promotions.
The former Soviet republic currently ranks as the country’s 172nd trading partner out of 223; 153rd export market, out of 216; and 171st import source out of 198. — Janina C. Lim
