RP eyes big geotextile market in China

Philippine coconut industry players are eyeing a potentially huge demand for coco-based geotextiles in China which is embarking on a grand-scale image-building campaign in preparation for its hosting of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

"China is dead serious in making an impression before the global community of the economic progress and prosperity it has achieved. Part of the image projection during the two-week sports event is to beautify its landscapes through use of geotextiles made of locally produced coconut fiber and coco peat," said Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr.

The Philippines, said Lorenzo, should take advantage of this opportunity. Currently, the country, has the capability to initially supply China about 10,000 metric tons of geotextile.

"If local coconut industry players unite and take part in supplying the potentially huge geotextile demand in China, it would create jobs for local farmers, increase their income, and immensely contribute to improving the rural economy," Lorenzo said.

Coco coir and coco peat, made from the lowly coconut husk, are manufactured into fascine or carpets rolled out as geotextiles to cover unsightly and degraded earth surfaces.

Geotextiles are extensively used to rehabilitate deserts, enhance greens in golf courses and prevent soil erosion in river banks and highways. They are used in horticulture and applied to beautify landscapes.

Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) officials said three members of the Coco Coir Industry Association of the Philippines are now on a trade mission in China where the party is optimistic of firming up supply contract arrangements with Chinese state-trading companies and private sector companies.

The trip, the third arranged by PCA, DA, Department of Trade and Industry, Office of the President and the private sector, brought the local delegation to Beijing and Shanghai, where they are attending trade fairs.

PCA Administrator Danilo Coronacion said a Philippine team earlier arrived in China and was able to convince Chinese environment and forestry officials to put up a pilot project on a 12-hectare desert area outside Beijing to demonstrate cocofiber technology.

The delegation was also tapped to pilot a 1,000-sq.m. plot using the geotextile product for landscaping and river rehabilitation in Guangzhuo and another 1,000-sq.m. area along a Guangzhou highway for landscape beautification, Coronacion added.