06 December 2016 — Some 200 Madrid-based Filipinos and Spaniards attended the Mango Investment Forum jointly organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippines Mango Industry Foundation Inc. (PMFI) and the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, at the VP Hotel El Madroño on December 01.                                                                                                                                      

Philippine Embassy in Madrid’s Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i., Emmanuel Fernandez formally welcomed everyone to the event while Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office VI Executive Director Remelyn Recoter, briefed the audience on the Mission’s objective to promote Philippine fresh mangoes and its by-products to the European Union market.

Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office I Executive Director Velentino Perdido presented an overview of the Philippine Mango Industry. DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Services Investment Chief Rowena Genete discussed the industry’s export outlook and investment opportunities.

PMIFI President and Chairperson Virgie Dela Fuente discussed with the participants the various investment packages that Filipinos in Spain and their families in the Philippines, may wish to consider. Capping the event was a Question and Answer segment, which allowed participants to raise their issues and concerns to DA and PMIFI officials.

The joint DA-PMIFI delegation also conducted market scan activities in select retail outlets and supermarkets. The delegation was also warmly received by officials of Mercamadrid who briefed them on the operations of the market as well as showed them the fruits and vegetables section where the delegation was able to interact with wholesalers and explore possible business collaborations. END