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Press Release
PHILIPPINE CONSUL GENERAL MEETS NORTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR ARMSTRONG TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE AND ENERGY
Bismarck, North Dakota – Philippine Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano met with North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong to explore opportunities for deepening cooperation in the fields of agriculture and energy, reaffirming the Philippines’ role as a key partner of the United States in trade and investment.
During the meeting, Consul General Diano acknowledged North Dakota’s reputation as a leading producer of wheat and soybeans, commodities that are vital to the Philippines’ food security. The Philippines is one of the world’s top importers of US wheat, and its demand for soybean meal continues to rise to support its expanding poultry, livestock, and aquaculture sectors. The Consul General emphasized the Philippines’ interest in diversifying its sources of soybean and wheat imports, and highlighted the potential for forging stronger trade links with North Dakota.
On the energy front, the Consul General briefed Governor Armstrong of the Philippines’ ongoing transition toward renewable and cleaner energy sources. Consul General Diano recognized North Dakota’s leadership in energy innovation—including wind power, biofuels, and natural gas—and conveyed interest in facilitating partnerships between North Dakota energy companies and Philippine counterparts in the areas of power generation, biofuel development, and renewable energy deployment.
The Consul General concluded by inviting Governor Armstrong and North Dakota trade delegations to visit the Philippines for future missions aimed at building partnerships in agriculture, agribusiness, and clean energy development.
For his part, Governor Armstrong welcomed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening economic ties and expressed North Dakota’s openness to expanding trade and investment opportunities with the Philippines. Governor Armstrong also broached potential collaboration between the Philippines Bioenergy Research Center and the University of North Dakota's Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), highlighting opportunities for joint research in renewable energy technologies and sustainable fuel development.
Following the meeting, Governor Armstrong directed the North Dakota Trade Office to organize a trade mission to the Philippines, with a particular emphasis on expanding soybean export opportunities and strengthening bilateral agricultural partnerships.
Photo 2: Governor Kelly Armstrong and Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano discuss
strengthening PH-North Dakota trade ties and cooperation in agriculture and energy.
Photo 3: Consul General Diano, with Consul Ella Karina Mitra (leftmost) and
Mr. Richard Osea (rightmost), poses with Governor Armstrong after their meeting.
Bismarck, North Dakota – Philippine Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano met with North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong to explore opportunities for deepening cooperation in the fields of agriculture and energy, reaffirming the Philippines’ role as a key partner of the United States in trade and investment.
During the meeting, Consul General Diano acknowledged North Dakota’s reputation as a leading producer of wheat and soybeans, commodities that are vital to the Philippines’ food security. The Philippines is one of the world’s top importers of US wheat, and its demand for soybean meal continues to rise to support its expanding poultry, livestock, and aquaculture sectors. The Consul General emphasized the Philippines’ interest in diversifying its sources of soybean and wheat imports, and highlighted the potential for forging stronger trade links with North Dakota.
On the energy front, the Consul General briefed Governor Armstrong of the Philippines’ ongoing transition toward renewable and cleaner energy sources. Consul General Diano recognized North Dakota’s leadership in energy innovation—including wind power, biofuels, and natural gas—and conveyed interest in facilitating partnerships between North Dakota energy companies and Philippine counterparts in the areas of power generation, biofuel development, and renewable energy deployment.
The Consul General concluded by inviting Governor Armstrong and North Dakota trade delegations to visit the Philippines for future missions aimed at building partnerships in agriculture, agribusiness, and clean energy development.
For his part, Governor Armstrong welcomed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening economic ties and expressed North Dakota’s openness to expanding trade and investment opportunities with the Philippines. Governor Armstrong also broached potential collaboration between the Philippines Bioenergy Research Center and the University of North Dakota's Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), highlighting opportunities for joint research in renewable energy technologies and sustainable fuel development.
Following the meeting, Governor Armstrong directed the North Dakota Trade Office to organize a trade mission to the Philippines, with a particular emphasis on expanding soybean export opportunities and strengthening bilateral agricultural partnerships.
Photo 2: Governor Kelly Armstrong and Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano discuss
strengthening PH-North Dakota trade ties and cooperation in agriculture and energy.
Photo 3: Consul General Diano, with Consul Ella Karina Mitra (leftmost) and
Mr. Richard Osea (rightmost), poses with Governor Armstrong after their meeting.