Joint Vision Statement from the Leaders of Japan, the Philippines, and the United States

“We, the leaders of Japan, the Philippines, and the United States, met today for the first Summit between our three countries. As three Indo-Pacific maritime democracies, our nations and the half-billion people we collectively represent are bound together by historical ties of friendship, robust and growing economic relations, and a proud and resolute commitment to our shared fundamental values of freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, and the rule of law.” Full text

The United States, the Philippines, and Japan Launch the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment Luzon Economic Corridor

During the trilateral leaders’ summit, the leaders of the United States, the Philippines, and Japan announced the intent to develop the Luzon Economic Corridor as the latest economic corridor of the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) and the first in the Indo-Pacific region.  Full text

Manila, October 6, 2023—From September 28 to October 4, the United States government, through the U.S. Commercial Service, sent its first Agricultural Technology Trade Mission to Davao City and Manila to explore trade and investment opportunities that will help support the resiliency of the Philippine agricultural supply chain.

Nine American companies and one U.S. state university were part of the trade mission that brought a mix of the latest innovations in agriculture technology (precision agriculture, digital farming, genetics), postharvest infrastructure, irrigation, farm mechanization, agricultural chemicals, IT-enabled services for agriculture, and animal feeds, among others.

U.S. trade mission participants included Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Aviagen Inc., Cargill, John Deere, PepsiCo, Sukup Manufacturing, Valmont Industries, Veea Inc., Viasat, and Northwest Missouri State University.

“Agriculture cooperation is central to the story of the U.S.-Philippine relationship as Partners in Prosperity,” said U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson.  “This Agricultural Technology Trade Mission injects innovation into this relationship, vastly expanding opportunities for Filipino farmers by connecting them to U.S. technology solutions.”

“Many of these companies already contribute to Philippine food security and play a critical role in our growing agriculture partnership,” the Ambassador added.

Organized in partnership with the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), the trade mission’s engagements with various regional and local business councils, Philippine companies, and government agencies strengthened the shared commitments of the Philippines and the United States toward promoting food security.  During their visit, the trade mission met with the National Food Authority, Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Information and Communications Technology.

While in Davao from September 28 to 30, the trade mission met with government leaders from Davao City led by Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr., representatives from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), local industry players, and business associations.  During these meetings, trade mission members discussed the importance of collaboration in achieving food security and strengthening the Philippine agriculture industry, especially in BARMM.

During their visit to Manila from October 2 to 4, the trade mission met with Department of Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban to discuss collaborations in improving high-value crops, such as rice and corn, in the Philippines.

“This trade mission focused on agriculture technology in the broadest sense, including improving access to needed resources through increased connectivity for Philippines farmers,” U.S. Embassy Senior Commercial Officer Paul Taylor said.  “Agriculture is the foundation of our global economy.  We believe the companies represented on this mission can help the Philippines fully take advantage of the next generation of advanced farming practices,” he added.

“We are here to learn about new investment opportunities, explore how we can confront challenges together, and put forth a sound partnership between these companies and between the U.S. and Philippine governments,” said BCIU Senior Program Officer for Agriculture Joseph Walters.  “We want to make sure that what we are doing is mutually beneficial for everyone involved.”

In 2022, U.S.-Philippine bilateral trade in agricultural products exceeded $4 billion.  The Philippines is a Top 10 market for U.S. agricultural exports.  At the same time, the United States is increasing its purchase of Philippine agricultural commodities, helping create jobs in rural communities.

Manila, September 11, 2023—On August 31, the United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAT), launched a first-of-its-kind e-commerce platform to expand the market reach of Luzon-based farmer-traders and strengthen the Philippines’ agricultural supply chain.

The NVAT Fresh Online Platform (NVATFresh.com), directly managed and operated by the Luzon-based agricultural hub, is a business-to-business (B2B) online platform where farmers can list their produce for large enterprises such as supermarkets, food processing companies, and restaurant chains. Through the platform, farmers can leverage competitive pricing, secure a consistent income, reduce food wastage, and ensure the delivery of fresh, affordable produce straight to businesses and consumers.

Through its five-year, Php1 billion ($18 million) Strengthening Private Enterprises for the Digital Economy (SPEED) project, USAID provided technical assistance, onboarding support, and training for NVAT and its stakeholders who use the platform.

In its initial phase, NVAT Fresh Online is projected to facilitate the sales of 5,000 tons of produce, accounting for 3 percent of NVAT’s total volume. Future estimates anticipate sales surging to roughly 20,000 tons, generating Php500 million ($8.8 million) by its fifth operational year.

In her remarks, USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks emphasized the crucial role that farmers play in achieving inclusive and resilient economic growth. “As your partner in prosperity, the United States remains committed to supporting the Philippines in advancing digitalization to help improve the lives of farmers and agricultural traders, and more importantly, enhance the country’s food security,” Deputy Mission Director Eubanks said.

“Thank you, USAID, for heeding our call. To say that NVAT is a trailblazer is an understatement. The birth of NVAT Fresh is a significant accomplishment,” DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in remarks delivered by DTI Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Ana Carolina Sanchez.

Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban highlighted the societal impact of platforms like NVAT Fresh Online on farmers.

“The most striking feature of progress in agriculture today is the rapid increase in the utilization of information technology to provide both farmers and consumers alike with reliable, data-driven information and guidance. In agriculture, we can attribute that swift increase to the presence of strong dynamic networks of collaboration between development institutions like USAID, the national government, and local extension services. I am confident the new online platform will help to guide our ties with farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs of Nueva Vizcaya for decades to come,” Senior Undersecretary Panganiban said.

NVAT ranks among the country’s most extensive wholesale markets for fresh produce, delivering 60 percent of its fresh fruits and vegetables to Metro Manila and Central Luzon. As a pivotal hub, it distributes products sourced from various provinces including Benguet, Ifugao, and Pangasinan.

Through SPEED, USAID aims to expand digital transformation across other agricultural and farming communities in the Philippines.