Senator Cynthia A. Villar has urged the government and all stakeholders in the food industry to boost its competitive edge to capture a sizeable portion of the huge market in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
She said AEC presents a big market for all the member-countries since ASEAN has a combined population of 617 million and an aggregate economic size (GDP) of US$2.5 trillion, growing at an average of 5.3 percent in recent years.
“We have a huge potential in the food sector. We just need to enhance our competitive advantages,” said Villar, chair of the Senate Agriculture and Food committee.
“In my capacity as a legislator, I want to add to those impetuses that will create further growth and development in food and agriculture. And will make Filipino food entrepreneurs and companies globally competitive,” also stressed Villar.