FUTURE trade partnerships between New Zealand and Mindanao are expected to be mutually beneficial as the resources of the respective countries are unique from one another.
With the appointment of the new New Zealand Honorary Consul for Mindanao Vicente Lao, he looks forward to better trade relations between the two countries.
“Mindanao has a lot to offer to New Zealand that they do not have. The same goes with New Zealand. They have a lot of things to offer to us, too that we do not have. So in this relationship, it is really going to be mutually beneficial,” said Lao.
He added that the tourism sites of the Mindanao and New Zealand, for example, are two very different experiences. Filipinos who would want to experience snow may no longer go to farther countries like the United States or Japan. He said, there will always be the option of experiencing winter in New Zealand, which is a lot nearer to Mindanao.
One of the sectors that New Zealand is very much dedicated to helping Mindanao with is the agriculture sector. According to Lao, New Zealand has advanced agricultural and marine technology, which may well be shared to the farmers and fisherfolks of Mindanao.
“In food and beverages, agricultural, renewable energy, vocational and technical training and tertiary education New Zealand has much to offer Mindanao as you embark on an exciting period of development that has the potential to transform this region,” said New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines David Strachan.
This is the first time that New Zealand is appointing an Honorary Consul for Visayas and Mindanao. Lao said one of the main reasons he accepted the position is the capacity-building help that the New Zealand government promises to the farmers and fisherfolks of Mindanao. (JPA)