AN official from Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) said Japan is looking to source abaca products here in Davao Region.
“We are pleased to inform everyone (that) one of the positive results of the Tokyo Business Forum. Currently, there are three Japanese investors who attended (the) Tokyo Business Forum and they are looking at the potential sourcing of abaca products here in Davao Region,” DCIPC Investor Assistance & Servicing Unit head Christian Cambaya said.
Cambaya said that the Japanese investors had used abaca as a material for fiberglass production which is used in high-end motor vehicles.
He hopes Japanese investors would invest in the Davao Region, known for being rich in agricultural products, which includes abaca.
“They are here in Davao and we are hoping that we can convince them to locate here. (And) source, start up a plant, and process the abaca here for the fiber material,” Camabaya added.
Meanwhile, Cambaya said Davao Region is not just focusing on agriculture alone but as well as expanding the identity of agribusiness.
“It is value-adding that will provide more employment opportunities and revenues for the government, and for our people. So those are actually the positive results that we had during our roadshow in Japan,” he said.
Regarding the suitable areas for the production of Abaca and the facility within Davao City, Cambaya also added they are currently in the process of locating prospective areas for the plantations.
“Because these were the areas recommended by PhilFIDA as a palatable for the plantation type, but when it comes to the manufacturing, we would recommend that these areas be located in our industrial areas,” Cambaya said. Justine Lu, AdDu Intern, and Trishia Lagrama, DNSC Intern