Thursday, September 07, 2006
42 exhibitors show up during tuna congress
LAST week's 8th Tuna Congress attracted at least 42 local and foreign exhibitors who showcased their products at the Family Conutry Hotel and convention Center.
Marfenio Tan, president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc., said this year's congress lured the biggest participants since the event was conceived.
"We have more than 300 participants and this is so far the biggest among our previous congresses. This shows that the industry is still vibrant despite the factors that affected our operation such as oil price increases," he said.
Some of the products displayed by exhibitors important to the tuna industry were navigational equipment, marine engines, and cold storage facilities.
The exhibitors came from as Thailand, China and Spain but most were Philippine-based companies.
The foreign tuna buyers and industry players, on the other hand, came from Papua New Guinea, China, Indonesia, Africa and Korea.
Meanwhile, Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr., lauded tuna investors for locating in the city as he acknowledged the difficulties the players went through in establishing a viable industry.
"Our achievement today did no come overnight. It came with years [of hardwork] and partnership between the local government and the private sector," he said in formally opening the congress.
Acharon offered the local government's renewed partnership with the players to sustain the tuna industry.
"The local government will extend its assistance to the industry. Just tell us when, where and how," he said.
The country's tuna industry is concentrated in this city, earning it the moniker "Tuna Capital of the Philippines."
Six of the country's eight tuna canneries are presently based here.
The Philippines produces approximately 400,000 metric tons of tuna every year with a value of P18 billion (about $330 million), of which about 85% (roughly P15 billion or $280 million) is exported to various regions, including Japan , the US , and Europe , according to the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
(September 4, 2006 issue)
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