In an official release from the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), it said that its international training course slated next year will be held in the Philippines.

This year, two international agriculture training courses were held in the Philippines. The first one dubbed Multi-Country Study Mission on Best Practices for Meeting Food Quality and Safety Standards (22-26 August 2005) was attended by 20 participants coming from 17 countries in Asia. The second was the Regional Workshop Meeting on Agriculture, Trade and Development (24-26 October 2005), a joint project of APO-ADB-OECD and DAP with 70 participants coming from countries in Southeast Asia and OECD member countries.

It may be recalled that on May 23-28 this year, APO also conducted the Multi-Country Study Mission on Business Potential for Agricultural Biotechnology Products which was held in China. Applicants from the Philippines were coursed through the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP). DAP's National Productivity Center is the organization in the Philippines mandated to nominate participants to APO programs.

Exact date and venue of the international training course on agriculture niche marketing for next year (2006) will be announced later.

The APO website is http://www.apo-tokyo.org. Inquiries may be sent to National Productivity Center, Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) at San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City. Mailing address at P.O. Box No. 12788 Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Tel nos. (63-2)631-0921 to 30; fax (63-2)631-2123; email academy@dap.edu.ph. (DCABaracol, SEARCA BIC)