The Philippines and Azerbaijan are looking for bilateral opportunities in cross-border trade, including an alternative fuel source for the Philippines and the supply of halal food and fruits.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez met with Azerbaijan Ambassador Tamerlan Garayev in the last day of May to discuss a possible trading cooperation.
“Our meeting with Consul Garayev is part of the government’s strategy to seek out non-traditional trading partners. We see a lot complementation between our countries,” said Lopez.
The Philippines is keen on exporting tropical fruits, like bananas and mangoes, to Azerbaijan to expand the country’s market for Halal products. Azerbaijan has a predominantly Muslim population.
The Philippines sees the Eurasian country as an alternative source of fuel since oil and natural gas account for around 90 percent of Azerbaijan’s total exports.