On June 27, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other partners, along with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (DCCP), conducted a webinar titled "Agro-Logistics: Business Opportunities + Clark National Food Hub."

With an emphasis on the future Clark National Food Hub, the objective was to highlight the variety of opportunities available in the industry.

As highlighted by Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands Eduardo Malaya, this event came after DTI Undersecretary Mary Jean Pacheco's recent agro-logistics mission to the Netherlands.

"We would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for these initiatives and anticipate that the Netherlands' agro-logistics expertise will be utilized to advance the Clark International Food Hub," he said, emphasizing the long-standing agricultural partnership between the Netherlands and the Philippines.

Speaking on behalf of Pacheco, Jonathan Cabaltero of the DTI-Supply Chain and Logistics Management Division unveiled the three-year Food Logistics Action Agenda, which acts as the umbrella initiative for the National Logistics Investment Plan and the Clark National Food Hub project.

As for the Clark National Food Hub, Melissa Feliciano of CIAC emphasized its potential as a game-changing initiative in the area and invited Dutch investors to investigate joint venture opportunities that capitalize on the hub's strategic advantages.

In order to ensure secure food security, the Food Hub aims to improve food quality by raising standards for food hygiene and safety, improve the efficiency of the food supply chain by modernizing agro-logistics to boost agricultural productivity, and also drive economic growth by empowering our local farmers and fishermen.

According to DCCP Executive Director Mitchel Smolders, the Philippines is aggressively pursuing prospects for foreign investment. We want to make sure Dutch companies visit and experience the Philippine business environment directly. The chamber may provide a comprehensive program for visiting businesses that includes networking, visibility, and B2B matchmaking.

In her closing remarks, Ambassador Marielle Geraedts made a strong case for action.

She mentioned the upcoming AgriLink 2024 exhibition, which will be held at the World Trade Center in Pasay from October 3–5, which gives Dutch companies the opportunity to network with local partners and consider investment opportunities. "To the Dutch companies, please don't hesitate to come to the Philippines to see everything with your own eyes," she said.

The DCCP carried out this initiative with assistance from the following: the Netherlands Embassy in the Philippines, the Philippine Embassy in The Hague, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) office in Brussels, NLinBusiness, the Netherlands Top Sector Agri-Food, the World Trade Center Manila, the Holland International Distribution Council, and the Philippines-Netherlands Business Council in the Netherlands.