Croatia – Philippines: Tropical fruit in – Weapons out

The Philippines is offering fruit, and Croatia are offering weapons after the two nations senior officials met in Manilla on Monday.

The Philippines wants Croatia to become an entry point for its banana, pineapple, coconut and mango exports to the Balkans and beyond. At the same time, Croatia is prepared to offer the Philippines projects in a range of sectors, including defence.

“We are interested in the Rijeka port as a connection for the organisation of trade. Philippine tropical fruit has great potential in the Balkans,” said Linda Basilo, Philippines assistant Foreign Affairs Minister, adding that the company. International Container Terminal Services Inc, headquartered in the Philippines, is a strategic partner in the Brajdic container terminal at Rijeka port. Employment opportunities of Filipino health workers in Croatia was also discussed at the meeting.

“We see that there is a great possibility of cooperation in shipbuilding, mining, food processing, tourism, and research and development sectors, ” said Josko Klisovic, Croatia’s Deputy Minister of foreign and European Affairs, to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, adding that defence is among common interests of the two countries.