Manila boosts agricultural ties with Israel

(JNS) - The Philippine government is expanding its partnership with Israel to strengthen the archipelagic country's agricultural sector.

The move follows a meeting between Philippine Senior Undersecretary for Agriculture Domingo Panganiban and Israeli Ambassador to Manila Ilan Fluss on July 31, during which they discussed collaborative projects to enhance bilateral training, internships and other professional exchanges.

The meeting also focused on enhancing market access of Philippine fresh pineapples and mangoes, the import of Hass avocado planting materials, technical cooperation in local laboratories and the development of a large-scale dairy farm using Israeli technology.

Fluss invited Panganiban and other officials to join Agritech 2023, the largest agricultural technology event in Israel, which is set to take place in Tel Aviv in October.

In June, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Manila in the first such trip by Jerusalem's top diplomat in over five decades.

The Israeli foreign minister met with the Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo, holding a bilateral meeting with the latter to expand business and trade relations.