BANGKOK: A senior representative from the Department of Agriculture paid a visit to the APSA's Secretariat this afternoon to extend well-wishes for the New Year, while taking the opportunity to underline the Thai government's mutual commitment towards strengthening public and private collaboration so as to optimize the potential of the seed and agriculture sectors in 2017 and beyond.
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Jintawee Thaingam of the DoA (left) and Heidi Gallant of APSA.[/caption]
Jintawee Thaingam, Director of the International Agricultural Affairs Group within the Planning and Technical Division of the Dept of Agriculture, presented a traditional gift of premium Thai Jasmine rice to APSA Director Heidi Gallant, before the two sat down to discuss current developments and future plans.
"Thailand has been undergoing a lot of reform and administrative development so as to work towards our goal to develop into a seed production hub, not only to supply growing demand in the ASEAN region, but Asia and the rest of the world ... We're strategically located and our infrastructure, facilities and diverse climate provide many advantages for seed production," she said.
"And so it's very important that we continue to work more closely with the private sector to develop the industries to their full potential. Working with associations such as APSA provides great opportunity for exposure, and we're pleased to be a member," she said.
Ms Gallant shared Ms Jintaswee's enthusiasm, noting "This is one of the main reasons why APSA established our Secretariat here back in 1994. It's always a pleasure to host events in Thailand as all of our members, from China, India, Japan, Australia and so forth, love to come here. Thailand has so much to offer to the industry, likewise. There is a lot of expertise and cutting edge resources here, and the country is strategically located for all of our members, who represent seed and agricultural interests in 50 countries worldwide."
APSA is planning to hold its 25th
Asian Seed Congress in Thailand in 2018, while preparations are well underway for the annual event's 24th edition, which will be held in Manila this November.
