MANILA—The governments of the Philippines and New Zealand are currently negotiating the potential export of Philippine durian to New Zealand, as announced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during a recent bilateral meeting. These discussions took place on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Laos, signaling a promising expansion in trade relations between the two countries.
According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos highlighted the involvement of key ministries in the ongoing discussions, specifically the Department of Agriculture for the Philippines and the Ministry for Primary Industries in New Zealand. “Our appropriate ministries are already in discussion on how to achieve this [durian export],” Marcos stated, emphasizing the collaborative efforts to facilitate this agricultural exchange.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also remarked on the deepening economic and trade engagement between the two nations. He noted that earlier negotiations included market access for New Zealand onions into the Philippines, with reciprocal discussions about Philippine pineapples entering the New Zealand market. “I think we’ve made some good progress there,” Luxon commented, underscoring the mutual benefits of the trade discussions.
Beyond trade, both leaders acknowledged significant advancements in other areas of bilateral cooperation, including education, security, and politics. These developments are part of broader efforts to elevate diplomatic ties through the Proposed Roadmap to Comprehensive Partnership 2024-2025, which the two countries are finalizing. President Marcos expressed optimism about finalizing the roadmap in time for the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, set to be commemorated in two years.
The Philippines and New Zealand have a history of cooperation across various sectors, including defense and military, environment, labor, and law enforcement, among others. This ongoing dialogue is expected to further enhance the comprehensive partnership between the two nations.