Palawan: A new chapter in the pineapple industry is unfolding as Palawan, Sabah and China join forces to promote and expand the market for this beloved fruit.
The collaboration, announced by Bataraza Municipal Mayor Abraham M. Ibba at the opening ceremony of the ‘Bataraza Pinya (Pineapple) Festival 2024’ on Monday, promises a sweet future for all involved.
“We’ve taken the first exciting steps towards a potential trading collaboration that will benefit all parties,” he shared, highlighting a recent meeting in Kota Kinabalu between himself, officials from the Sabah Agriculture Department, and Chinese businessmen.
During the meeting, the mayor proposed a strategic partnership: Bataraza will supply fresh and processed pineapples to Sabah, which will then market the product to China.
The Chinese businessmen expressed enthusiastic interest in purchasing Bataraza’s pineapples, indicating a strong demand for the region’s high-quality produce.
“This collaboration has the potential to significantly increase the revenue of our municipality and improve the living standards of our people,” Ibba emphasised.
He stressed that the partnership will also have a positive impact on Sabah and China, highlighting the mutually beneficial nature of the agreement.
Adding to the positive outlook, Sabah businessmen involved in the project have expressed plans to establish a pineapple processing facility in Bataraza once the trade agreement is finalised.
Ibba added that this investment will create new jobs and further enhance the region’s pineapple industry.
Ibba assured that his administration, along with the provincial government, will provide full support to the foreign investors involved in the project.
The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience at the festival, signalling a positive outlook for the future of Bataraza’s pineapple industry.
According to the mayor, this collaboration signifies a significant step towards strengthening the agricultural sector in the region, promoting economic growth, and fostering international trade partnerships.
“The success of this initiative could serve as a model for future collaborations between Southeast Asian countries and China, leading to greater prosperity and development in the region... The sweet taste of success is already being felt, and the future looks bright for the pineapple industry in Bataraza, Sabah, and beyond,” Ibba stressed.
With the positive development, Ibba urges local pineaple farmers and others in the municipality to continue to plant pineaples and never compromise their quality.
Meanwhile, this year’s festivity carries the theme ‘Sowing seeds of innovation for a fruitful tomorrow”.
The week-long merry-make festival is being participated by all the municipality’s 22 barangays (villages).
“I encourage everyone to explore all that the Pinya Festival has to offer, from mouthwatering pineapple dishes to exciting entertainment and educational exhibits,” he added.
