MANILA, Philippines – Mr. Muhamed Salim bin Mohd Ali, Chief Executive Officer of the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet), paid a courtesy visit to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) on 17 November.
Mr. Salim was warmly received by Dr. Glenn Panganiban, Director of BPI, together with Dr. Herminigilda Gabertan, Assistant Director of BPI, Mr. Daniel Alfonso Atayde, Assistant Secretary for Logistics at the Department of Agriculture, and Mr. Joseph Rudolph C. Lo, President and CEO of Food Terminal Incorporated. Mr. Salim was accompanied by Mr. Christian Cangao, Information Officer of TFNet.
During the meeting, Dr. Panganiban expressed strong interest in joining TFNet’s programmes and collaborating on future projects and consultancies, including hosting capacity-building activities such as workshops, forums, and symposiums. Dr. Panganiban also acknowledged TFNet’s important role in trade and market access, noting it as a key area in addressing the industry’s current challenges.
He further voiced support for TFNet’s upcoming Young Ambassadors for Tropical Fruits programme, particularly the pilot forum designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students to present their research to industry experts.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of strengthening Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to enhance fruit quality and meet the requirements of importing countries. Dr. Panganiban informally requested TFNet’s assistance in facilitating market access for Philippine mangoes to Malaysia. As one of the region’s key tropical fruit exporters, the Philippines remains an important partner for TFNet, which looks forward to deepening collaboration in the years ahead.
Dr. Gabertan invited TFNet to join its 95th Anniversary on 22 January 2026 and sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations.
