What's On & Expat - Philippines

THE PHILIPPINES MAY eventually add a new foreign destination to its lengthy roster of trade and tourism partners as direct flights to Turkey may just turn out to be a reality by next year.
   Present circumstances indicate that the Civil Aviation Agreement is on its final stages of implementation of such direct flights in order to establish long-delayed air linkages between both countries.
 

   “We will all do our part in convincing an airline to ply the route since we see great potentials in expanding various trade, investment, and tourism ties between our countries,” declared Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines Adnan Basaga in a press gathering marking the 84th anniversary of Turkey as a republic.
   He is confident that Turkey Airlines could easily service the route since the company ranks among the fastest-grow

RP-UK Friendship Week
Kicks Off Nov. 30

By Ana Kristine B. Valenzuela
 

Recently, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced her plan to visit the United Kingdom this December, her second after her trip there in September last year.
   The planned visit also signifies the two countries’ strong diplomatic relations. The United Kingdom is one of the country’s strong trading partners and political allies.
   With the growing partnership between two countries, the British Embassy announced its week-long activities for the Philippines-UK Friendship week that will start on Nov. 30.
   “We want to take this opportunity to better foster RP-UK relations,” British Ambassador Peter Beckingham said as he stressed that this year’s celebration is extended to one week which covers a wider range of activities. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Business that Cares.” It also focuses on education, health and cross-cultural understanding.
   The RP-UK week kicked off on Nov. 30 with the Visit Britain exhibition at the Shangri-La Mall and will run until Dec. 2. An Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament will be held on Dec. 3 aimed at increasing the cross-cultural understanding be

tween the Philippines and Britain. Other activities also include the RP-UK equestrian friendship games and gala dinner for the benefit of Chevening Scholarship Programme at the Manila Polo Club on Dec. 4.
   A UK Trade and Investment waste management seminar at the Rigodon Ballroom will also be held at Manila Peninsula on Dec. 4 while a business forum will take place at the Hexagon Lounge Tower 2, RCBC Plaza on Dec. 5. One of the highlights of the celebration is the inauguration of the Montalban Methane Plant on Dec. 5. The weeklong celebration will be capped with a medical mission on Dec. 9 in Tondo, Manila.
   “The celebration will bring together leading members of Philippine and British business and society in a series of path-breaking activities of fun sporting events, meaningful discussions and civic projects,” Ambassador Beckingham stated.
   On President Arroyo’s visit, the ambassador added that it will further boost investments to the Philippines and strengthen UK’s position as Europe’s largest investor.
   President Arroyo and Queen Elizabeth II are expected to have a “chat” at

Making Money with Muscovado

By Katrina N. Cabanos
 

With adequate support, the country has potential to make millions from Muscovado.
Coarser and stickier than most brown sugars, Muscovado is processed the natural way, completely free from harmful chemicals. The Philippines has been exporting this type of unrefined sugar as early as 1850’s, and up until the late 70’s it was among its more prominent exports.
   The struggle to develop it into an industry has been long and difficult. The growth of the popularity and the promise of better returns from refined white sugar displaced the Muscovado to the fringes of the sugar market. However, manufacturing of Muscovado continued in numerous provinces, especially in Antique, the Muscovado capital of Philippines.
   In recent years the growing trend for organic products and healthier lifestyles revived the weakened Muscovado industry. With consumers preferring to lessen their chemical intake, market demand has grown. Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat further attests that the demand for Muscovado far exceeded supply. Accordingly, prices have steadily increased, especially abroad. In Spain, for instance, it is being sold at the equivalent of Php248 per kilo as compared to the Php65 locally.
   Unfortunately, product quality and safety is a major concern and has hindered

the Philippines from leading in the mainstream market. At present, the Philippines ranks 16th as the biggest Muscovado exporter worldwide, with Brazil holding the top spot. Decades of neglect resulted to low farm productivity and undeveloped marketing channels.
   For our exports to be recognized internationally it must have the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) seal. The Muscovado producer must adhere to the internationally accepted Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) standards which would increase the cost of production. Jerry Pacturan, executive director of the Philippine Development Assistance Program (PDAP) states that it costs “only Php1.8 million to construct a first-class Muscovado mill to support 100 to 500 hectares of sugar, and much less to upgrade the quality of existing mills.” All this is necessary to aide the flourishing industry that is expected to create jobs in rural areas. Government support is crucial.
   Romulo-Puyat then made the timely announcement of Php 400 million, half from the Department of Agriculture and half from the Development Bank of the Philippines, set aside to support organic products, including Muscovado.
   The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has also allocated P25 million to support Muscovado as one of its three priority products.
 

ing in its field and possesses quality service standards in the international community.
   Speaking before local media practitioners gathered at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu, the ambassador also pointed out that he remains optimistic that such flights would materialize before his term would end in the Philippines.
   “Although my term began in Manila just this year, we hope the Philippines would soon make use of Istanbul as the jump-off point to Europe and North America for business and leisure purposes. Flight time is just under 10 hours,” he related.
   It was also learned that RP-Turkey ties celebrate 60 years of friendship as Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize Philippine independence at the conclusion of World War II.
   He added that he also wanted to see the rest of the country outside Manila in order to absorb the total Philippine

experience and explore further trade opportunities and existing conditions beyond the National Capital Region.
   “This is part of my job to travel outside the capital. I have already met with Gov. Gwen Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena. It was a five-day visit made more memorable due to the friendly locals,” he remarked.
   The envoy likewise revealed that Turkey ranks as the 17th largest economy in the world, posting a lofty USD260 billion in 2006 with exports expected to hit the USD100- billion mark by the year-end.
   In the event that the Manila route may not push through, the ambassador indicated that he was very much willing to set up direct linkages within the Asean in order to maximize its networking presence in the region.
   Aside from the Philippines, the Asean is composed of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

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