January 16, 2007

Taiwanese to invest in the growing of white shrimps in Philippines

WITH the government's decision to lift the ban on the propagation of Pacific white shrimp, or Penaeus vannamei, some Taiwanese businessmen have expressed interest to invest in the growing of the low-cost shrimp variety in the Philippines, reports the Business Mirror Daily.

According to Romulo Manlapig, deputy representative of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) in Taiwan said Taiwanese investors are glued as to when the Philippine government will finally allow the re-entry of P.vannamei shrimps in the country. 

Manlapig said the Taiwanese are experienced in the cultivation of Pacific white shrimps and the revoking the ban would allow them to co-propagate the variety with Filipino growers.

Last week, the Department of Agriculture (DA) allowed anew the production of the white shrimp variety in the country after the problem on the presence of pathogens has been solved.

Manlapig said the entry of Taiwanese businessmen would help the country primarily in increasing the supply of affordable shrimp in the domestic market as vannamei shrimps are fifty percent cheaper than other varieties.

Aside from being cheap, Manlapig said vannamei grows in a shorter cycle and are usually prolific in multiplying, thus, requiring only low production cost.

Manlapig said the Taiwanese are also interested in other prospects in aquaculture, including the setting of fish cages in Pangasinan.

He said the Taiwanese are now looking at other countries to bring their technology in aquaculture since the waters in Taiwan are becoming polluted already.

The Philippines and Taiwan are pursuing cooperation projects in agriculture and fishery based on a memorandum of understanding in these fields forged in 2005.

Manlapig emphasised the country would surely benefit from Taiwan's advanced biotechnology through the numerous technical cooperation and training projects.