11 February 2018, Dubai, U.A.E. – The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and Northern Emirates welcomed a Trade Delegation from Region V who are visiting Dubai prior to the Gulfood Expo to look into the market for Bicol products in the UAE. Led by DTI Albay Provincial Director Leah Pagao and Regional Director Jocelyn Blanco, the delegation was composed of nine (9) food producers of pili nuts and its by-products.

Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes provided a brief of the market of Dubai and the Northern Emirates, information on current market leaders, and prospects for PH food products not only to the Filipino consumer but also to the other ethnicities. The meeting also exchanged views and perspectives on PH agricutlural products, their marketing strategies, and the need for greater support for product research and development.

The Consul General noted that this was the first visit from a specific region in the Philippines with the aim of marketing its products. Previous years’ participation in Dubai’s annual Gulffood saw a representation of food producers from all over the Philippines. END