Head of Delegation DTI Usec. Mary Jean Pacheco signs the guest book at the Port of Barcelona as Port President Lluis Salvado looks on, with CIAC President Arrey Perez

Mercabarna Visit: Cong. Rufus Rodriguez, Usec. Pacheco, Department of Agriculture Usec. Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero, Cong. Anna Victoria Veloso-Tuazon, Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro pose with Mercabarna Director General Pablo Vilanova and Director of Marketing and Institutional Relations Ingrid Buera

Barcelona, Spain – The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona, led by Consul General Maria Theresa Lazaro, successfully coordinated with the Philippine Investment and Trade Center Paris the Barcelona leg of the Market Sensing and Observation Mission to Europe from 2-5 May 2024. The mission, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), aimed to draw valuable insights from Barcelona’s advanced infrastructural and economic models to bolster the development of the proposed Clark National Food Hub in the Philippines.

The delegation was led by DTI Undersecretary for Regional Operations Group, Mary Jean Pacheco, and included Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for High-Value Crops, Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero; with members of the House Committee on Trade and Industry—Cong. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro), Cong. Maria Angela Garcia (2nd District, Bataan), and Cong. Anna Victoria Tuazon (3rd District, Tarlac). The group was also joined by the President of Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), Mr. Arrey Perez, and the private sector.

Insightful Engagements and Strategic Observations

During the visit to the Port of Barcelona, the delegation was greeted by Port President Lluis Salvado and Head of the Container Division, Carles Moyes. They showcased the port’s significant role in regional and European logistics, highlighting its strategic development through infrastructure integration and its proximity to the Mercabarna wholesale market, providing key operational efficiencies relevant to the Clark National Food Hub.

Welcoming the group to Barcelona’s wholesale market Mercabarna was its Director General Pablo Vilanova. The delegation was immersed in the comprehensive market operations, from the fish market to the intricate cold chain facilities. They learned about Mercabarna’s innovative approaches to vendor support, waste management, and community services, which integrate employee well-being directly with business operations.

Fostering Economic Growth through SMEs

A meeting with Mr. Joan Romero, Head of ACCIO, the Catalan trade and industry office, further enriched the delegation’s understanding of the economic ecosystem of the region. ACCIO emphasized Catalonia's robust foundation in the food and agrobiotechnology sectors, driven predominantly by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups. This model of economic support and development was identified as a viable pathway for fostering similar growth within the Philippines, emphasizing targeted support and strategic development for smaller enterprises.

Commitment to Continued Collaboration

Consul General Maria Theresa Lazaro stated, “The insights garnered from Barcelona’s leading economic infrastructures are invaluable. We are committed to facilitating continued collaboration and knowledge exchange to ensure the successful implementation of these best practices into the Clark National Food Hub.” END

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Port of Barcelona Head of Container Division Carles Moyes, CIAC President Arrey Perez, Port of Barcelona President Lluis Salvado, DTI Usec. Mary Jean Pacheco pose before the start of the briefing at the Port

Delegation members were taken on a tour to observe the Port’s operations on board the vessel “Consolat del Mar”

Head of Container Division Mr. Carles Moyes provided a lecture on the port’s operations

At Mercabarna, the group’s tour was led by Director General Pablo Vilanova

The delegation learned about the recycling and waste management process at Mercabarna