State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) seeks to boost the National Government’s efforts to support the local aquaculture industry through its latest partnership with the local subsidiary of a leading agro-industrial and food conglomerate, a top official said.

DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. de Jesus said the bank’s partnership with Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corporation (CP Foods) is expected to enhance the implementation of DBP’s latest financing facility, the Aquaculture Value Chain Financing Program (AVCFP).

"This new tie-up further strengthens our longstanding partnership with CP Foods and cements our continuing commitment to help ensure food security and productivity in the country," de Jesus said.

DBP is the eighth largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides credit support to four strategic sectors of the economy: infrastructure and logistics; micro, small, and medium enterprises; the environment; and social services and community development.

CP Foods is a subsidiary of the Thailand-based Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPFPC), which operates vertically integrated agro-industrial and food businesses, harnessing its investments and partnerships in 17 countries worldwide.

De Jesus said DBP would be providing CP Foods with the necessary credit assistance, including working capital requirements, fixed asset acquisition, the installation of other support facilities, pond development or improvement, and the establishment of post-harvest facilities.

He said the agreement is in line with President Marcos’ thrust to improve agricultural productivity and ramp up modernization efforts in the sector.

"This partnership is in support of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) commitment to intensify the fishery sector by increasing the local shrimp production to 276,320 tons from 2023-2027," de Jesus said.

De Jesus said pipeline projects to be financed under this agreement are estimated at P7 billion for the current year.

He said these projects cover a range of aquaculture-related activities supporting small and micro enterprises and cooperatives with a minimum funding of P5 million but not exceeding P15 million, or up to 90% of the total project cost, and medium-to-large enterprises with a minimum funding of P15 million, or up to 70% of the total project cost.

"We are confident that CP Foods’ decades-long aquaculture expertise will greatly contribute towards our collective goal of a more competitive and sustainable Philippine aquaculture," de Jesus said. (DBP/PIA-10)