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THE
Department of Agriculture (DA) and a Madrid-based
biodiesel company have inked an agreement on the
development of at least 100,000 hectares in Laguna and
Palawan for jathropa cultivation.
The
renewable-energy development project is only one of
several agreements to be signed during President
Arroyo’s three-day state visit to Spain, along with
agreements on agriculture and fisheries development,
sustainable coastal management, joint research on
biotechnology, and on microfinancing technology,
Malacañang said in a statement.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap signed the memorandum
of agreement (MOA) with Anton Pradera, president of CIE
Automotive, and Bionor chief executive officer Alfonso
Ausin.
Under
the MOA, Bionor will invest $200 million for the
development of 100,000 hectares of agribusiness land for
jathropa feedstock production, extraction and distillery
plants in Laguna and
Palawan.
The
project will commence in the first quarter of 2008 and
is expected to be completed in three years.
Yap also
signed a MOA on fisheries and food with the Spanish
Ministry of Agriculture to provide a new window for
accessing Spanish grants, particularly in agriculture
and fisheries, and for the
Philippines
to tap advanced Spanish technology in crops, fruits and
vegetables processing.
Another
MOA to be signed during the President’s Spain visit is
between the Spanish Technical Cooperation Office and the
office on Sustainable Management of Coastal Resources in
Bicol and Caraga regions. This would address resource
and environmental depletion of the coastal waters
through coastal-resource management, planning, training
and on-site coaching for viable livelihood projects.
Under
the MOA between the DA and AZTI Foundation of Basque
Region, the two partners will undertake joint research
projects in biotechnology, food technology, sustainable
management of marine environment and agriculture.
The MOA
between the DA and Fundacion Codespa provides for
cooperation in the identification of priority areas such
as microfinance for farmers and fisherfolk, technology
transfer for Spanish agricultural technologies and
trainings.
Yap said
the MOA with Abengoa Bioenergy will assist the
Philippines
in cultivating cassava as biofuel feedstock, and provide
design engineering and machinery supply required for the
use of cassava plantations, and study the possibility of
establishing bioethanol plants in the country.
Trade
Secretary Peter Favila, who is part of the presidential
delegation, said at least two Spanish companies have
expressed interest in investing in the country: CMA-CGM,
the world’s third-largest container shipping line; and
San Miguel Corp. in
Spain.
“It’s
still exploratory but they have signified their
interests,” a Malacañang statement quoted Favila as
saying. The San Miguel Corp. in Spain is interested to
develop its new nonalcoholic beer with San Miguel
Philippines, while CMA-CGM is reportedly keen on
participating in the development of Batangas port.
In her
meeting with
Spain’s
Senate leaders, Mrs. Arroyo sought the lawmakers’ help
in realizing her vision of a modern nation, especially
as it is the best time for Spanish businessmen to invest
in the Philippines, particularly in renewable- energy
development, tourism and agriculture.
“Spain
has always defended my government, and once again, we
are seeking the support of the Spanish government and
business community to help us realize our vision of a
modern Philippines in 20 years,” she said.
Mrs.
Arroyo, who spoke in Spanish, expressed her appreciation
for the assistance Spain has extended to her
administration in the fight against terrorism,
particularly in Mindanao. |
