by pna
President Benigno S. Aquino III hopes the Philippines and New Zealand could work together in agriculture, energy, and manufacturing for the benefit of both countries.
During a business forum in New Zealand Tuesday, the President said he is interested in imitating Thailand in its dairy cooperation with New Zealand by developing tropicalized breeds of cattle to sustain Thailand’s meat and dairy needs.
“We’d like to have the same experience. I had a good fortune to try some of your produce ever since I came in yesterday, and I’m very, very impressed,†the President said.
“We’d really like to develop more indigenous abilities to satisfy that particular need,†he added.
The President was in New Zealand for a two-day state visit. He is scheduled to go to Australia after his New Zealand trip.
The Philippines imports 99 percent of its dairy requirements, the President said.
If the Philippines could develop such industry, it would become less dependent on the vagaries of the international market and at the same time satisfying the nutritional requirements of next generation of Filipinos, the Chief Executive further said.
The Philippines and New Zealand could also work together for further development of the Philippines’ geothermal energy sector.
In the 70s, the President said New Zealand assisted the Philippines put up its own capacity to harness geothermal energy.
The Philippines is the second country in the world devoting much attention to geothermal energy development and use.
The US is the biggest geothermal energy user.
“We can make our own industry that much more efficient and perhaps really tap into the reported 2,000 megawatts reserves. We need to be able to generate a lot more energy to bring down the prices of our electricity which are amongst the highest in Asia,†he President stressed.
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