PRAGUE: Czech President Petr Pavel will be sending a business delegation, led by Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný, to Manila next week with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation.

"Very soon our Minister of Agriculture shall visit the Philippines with a numerous delegation of our businessmen with specific, particular plans to offer," Pavel said in a joint press conference after a bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday.

Czech President Petr Pavel. AFP Photo

"We also have companies that are involved in defense industry, manufacturing, in farming and agriculture, science, technology, energy sector, power sector," he added. "Many of these businesses do have particular specific plans for the future cooperation with the Philippines...".

Marcos is on a three-day state visit to the Czech Republic following an invitation from Pavel. The two nations marked 50 years of diplomatic relations last year.

In Manila, Výborný is scheduled to meet with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and lead a business forum in Makati City on March 21.

The Czech minister and his delegation will also visit the Davao region for a business forum. They will also visit Tagum Agricultural Development Co. Inc. in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

The Czech Republic has provided the Philippines with assistance with regard to analyzing and improving the dairy value chain in the country.

Under the Aid for Trade initiative, the National Dairy Authority (NDA) was given funding in line with a five-year program to raise milk production in the country.

The NDA completed two projects: the Expert Assistance on the in-depth Analysis of the Supply Chain of the Philippine Dairy Industry undertaken in 2018; and the Strengthening Capacities of Dairy Farmers and Extension Workers project undertaken in 2019.