MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. eyes to explore trade in meat products as he expresses interest to the medicines used by the Czech Republic to ensure the quality of meat and livestock products in the country.

In an interview with the Philippine media delegation during his three-day state visit to Czech Republic, President Marcos said the Department of Agriculture (DA) is now conducting exploratory talks with its Czech counterpart for the country’s livestock products.

“Ang interest natin diyan is of course the trade in meat products. Sila, mayroon silang exportation ng beef – ang sabi sa akin ni Secretary Kiko kanina, they have technologies para – to make ‘yung gamot para pagandahin ang lagay ng mga inaalagaan nilang livestock,” President Marcos said.

“So, ‘yun ang tinitignan natin. Not only will we procure kung sakali, but hopefully we’ll produce it locally. Para mayroon tayong sariling source natin. So, those are the areas that we’re looking at,” he added.

“It’s really in terms of trade dahil we don’t grow the same products, we do not have seasons like they have here in the Czech Republic. But in terms of livestock, I think maraming— marami tayong makukuhang bagong technology,” he further stated.

President Marcos said representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture of Czech Republic are expected to visit the Philippines by next week to formalize the agreement.

Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala visited Manila in April last year where he sat in a bilateral meeting with President Marcos and expressed the readiness of his government to support the Philippines in the agriculture sector, among others. (PND)