In collaboration with the Provincial Government of Northern Samar Economic Team, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Beijing (PTIC-Beijing) and the Board of Investments (BOI), hosted an investment dialogue on 21 May 2025 at the Manila Hotel. The dialogue aimed to highlight Northern Samar as an emerging hub for investment in the agricultural sector, tapping into its economic potential and paving the way for long-term development.

This initiative aligns with the government’s national agenda of recognizing the potential of the country’s agriculture and fisheries sector as part of a broader agri-food system, in line with the priorities identified in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028.

The event was attended by PTIC-Beijing Commercial Counsellor Glenn Peñaranda, Governor of Northern Samar Edwin Ongchuan, Second District Representative of Northern Samar Cong. Harris Ongchuan, and Economic Development Advocate Ms. Bles Ongchuan, and the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Office of the Special Assistant for Export Development. Key officials from the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, together with representatives from BOI and the Export Management Bureau (EMB), engaged in a dialogue with participating Chinese investors reinforcing collaboration to unlock investment opportunities in the province.

During the dialogue, the Provincial Government presented its dynamic agricultural sector, emphasizing its abundant fishery and thriving coconut industry—two high-potential areas for expansion. Investors expressed enthusiasm for harnessing the province’s natural strengths to build a more sustainable agribusiness ecosystem and expand export opportunities. Discussions also delved into logistical advancements, ensuring efficient production and distribution to maximize investment impact.

As part of the continuing interest in fostering investment partnerships, participating investors plan on visiting Northern Samar later this year to conduct further assessments, strengthen investor engagements, and explore opportunities for expanding the province’s agricultural sector
The investment dialogue is one of the key events under the provincial government’s Ibabao Festival, also known as Northern Samar Foundation Day.

PTIC-Beijing continues to explore investment opportunities by engaging with various provinces across the Philippines, fostering economic collaborations and promoting strategic business ventures, including in increasing capacities for value-added processing and exports.

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Date of Release: 02 June 2025