Ambassador Maria Amelita C Aquino (left) and H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of the Kingdom of Cambodia (right), discuss agricultural cooperation between the Philippines and Cambodia. 

(Photo from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of the Kingdom of Cambodia)

Phnom Penh, 16 October 2023 – Ambassador  Maria Amelita C. Aquino, called on His Excellency Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of the Kingdom of Cambodia on 12 October 2023.

Ambassador Aquino recalled the proposed renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippines and Cambodia on Agriculture and Agribusiness Cooperation and expressed hope for more active cooperation in this sector that is significant for both countries.

Minister Dith Tina welcomed the renewal of the MOU, with the resolve to focus on areas that are practical and reflect the priorities of both countries, such as in agricultural trade.

Ambassador Aquino further highlighted the signing of an MOU on Agriculture and MSME Development between the ASEAN Business Advisory Councils of the Philippines and Cambodia, which was witnessed by both countries’ Leaders at the sidelines of the ASEAN Summits in Jakarta. She said that the private sector-led initiative signals the weight of agriculture and MSMEs in advancing economic growth for both countries. On this note, she also welcomed the recent export of Cambodian rice to the Philippines through business-to-business channels.

The two officials also exchanged views on agricultural production and the launch of Cambodia’s national strategy to develop and support its informal economy.  END

Ambassador Maria Amelita C Aquino (left) and H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of the Kingdom of Cambodia (right), discuss agricultural cooperation between the Philippines and Cambodia shake hands after the courtesy call. 

(Photo from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of the Kingdom of Cambodia)