Posted by agri_center | Posted in Fruit and Nuts, News | Posted on 20-08-2008
Tags: banana fiber for export in china, banana fiber in the philippines, philippine banana export, philippines to export bananas in china
Another deal between the Philippines and China has materialized, this time on the agricultural side, an envoy told The Manila Times. Frank Chua, Special Ambassador on Trade and Investments to China, said the Philippines has partnered with China in planting bananas to produce banana fiber for clothing.
The banana fiber will be used as threads in clothes, Chua said. We came up with this idea because it will maximize the resources since clothes can be used over and over.
Chua, however, declined to reveal further details on the deal but noted that a project on planting medicinal plants is also being eyed. At present, banana trees in the Philippines are primarily grown for its fruit, of which large volumes are exported to countries like Japan and the United States.
The banana deal is the second project between two countries in a month, as its respective officials also signed a memorandum of understanding for a $150-million joint venture for nickel exploration and processing in Botolan, Zambales. That project can potentially generate $500 million in revenues.
President Gloria Arroyo witnessed the signing of the nickel deal during her three-day state visit in China, where she also attended the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The mining contract, however, drew flak from the Palaces critics since it was Mike Defensor, an administration senatorial bet who lost in the 2007 electionswho signed the agreement for the Philippine companies.
Source: www.yehey.com
My reaction:
“This is great news for the Philippine Banana Industry. Not only we will export banana fruits in China but also sell non-traditional products from Banana in one of the fastest growing economy in the world. Utilizing resources into money seems to be the trend right now in the global market as green technology and enterprise will become a billion dollar industry in coming years. As we know, we only utilize the fruits for consumption in the Philippines and some for culinary use like banana heart and leaves for cooking. From a favorite food concession of the Filipinos like SABA into Banana-Q then from exporting Cavendish Bananas from Mindanao to other countries and now using its fibers will give more profit from traders and most especially the growers themselves. No wonder why they want to revive Banana production in Luzon also. Banana is one of the top agricultural export commodity like Pineapple and Coconut in the Philippines, we should take the opportunity.”