11 March 2022 – On the final day of his meeting for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Asia Pacific Regional Conference in Dhaka, Philippine Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar met with the Filipino community in Dhaka at the Philippine Embassy.
In his address to the Filipino community, Secretary Dar commended members of the Filipino-Bangladeshi community and OFWs for their contribution in propelling the country’s growth. He encouraged them to invest their hard-earned income in the agricultural sector in the Philippines, and be part of the country’s development.
He shared that the DA has been implementing key programs to facilitate and channel investments to the sector through access to low-interest, zero collateral loans of up to P15 million; grants and loans for youth-led agri-business start-ups, and initiatives to address issues such as animal diseases.
Members of the Filipino community in Bangladesh took the opportunity to ask the DA Secretary and other members of the delegation on the Philippine Government’s plans to facilitate and accommodate investments from non-OFWs living abroad and foreigners with Filipino spouses wishing to retire in the Philippines, and training programs and webinars to better inform and equip overseas Filipinos interested to invest in the sector.
The DA Secretary also lauded Bangladesh in its successful initiatives in achieving food security for its population. With the Bangladesh Government’s prioritization of food self-sufficiency and support for its local agricultural sector, it has been rapidly rising in terms of agricultural development.
Ambassador Alan Deniega shared that plans are underway to strengthen the Philippines’ cooperation with Bangladesh in the field of agriculture development, including an MOU in agricultural cooperation.
Secretary Dar was joined by Undersecretary Fermin Adriano, Assistant Secretaries Agnes Miranda and Noel Reyes, Director Junel Soriano, and Ms. Frances Ramos. Together with Ambassador Alan Deniega and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Christian Hope Reyes, they comprised the Philippine Delegation to APRC36.
