April 8, 2008

South Korea to fund US$2.2-million Philippine seafood facility

South Korea will shoulder the proposed US$2.2-million seafood processing plant in the Philippine northern province of Dagupan City through a Korean financial aid implementing agency.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said a survey team from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has recently made some inspections in the area to work out the details of the project.

The KOICA delegation, led by Kim In, and Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. discussed measures which will ensure the successful implementation using the Korean technology to improve the facilitation and processing of seafood exports from the Pangasinan port.

The project involves the construction of a 1,500-square-meter seafood processing plant that will include packing, heating and smoking equipment; quick-freeze and ice-making facilities; air showers, sterilizers and other sanitary equipment.

The programme will also include the skills and training of Filipino technical personnel in South Korea for the proper operation and management of the plant.

Apart from the Dagupan seafood processing facility, Yap said Korea has also provided assistance to other development projects in the Philippines and facilitated bilateral trade between the two countries. Such agreements include the removal of 10-percent tariff adjustment on Philippine bananas last year.