Daven Tamayo

Fil-Australian Business Council to aid in PH tourism and food security

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781134567474fil-aussie biz.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC) talks to journalists in Sydney. Handout</div>Filipino-Australian business leaders who are based in Sydney said that it is working to bring in more tourists and food security strategies to the Philippines.The Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC) said in a meeting with Filipino Journalists they are making strides to enhance the partnership of both countries on the trade side.Its President, Rafael Toda, confirmed that a travel show is in the works that will feature the Philippines’ premiere destinations and will be broadcasted in Australia’s television networks.“We are partnering with a travel group that will provide a travel package mirroring the show. This is something that has not been done before,” said Toda.With this tourism push, they are hoping for more investments in the industry sectors especially for the Philippines.As of now, according to Toda, the largest investments in the Philippines are back offices for major companies in Australia or the Business Process Outsource industry which is worth $44 Billion. “All that comes back to the escalation of relationships. Relationship-wise it was strategic focusing on trade,” added Toda.They are planning as well to steer the BPO industry into a Knowledge Processing Outsource industry.<div> </div><div>FOOD SECURITY AS A CONCERN</div>Meanwhile, the APBC is also heavily focused now on bringing methods on how to strengthen food security in the Philippines.Toda stressed that it was part of the strategic focus of Australia specifically to the ASEAN bloc.“We are working on urea replacement fertilizers with great properties that improve soil health,” said Jem Jacinto, one of its members.They are also looking into improving farm to table methods and in building mobile cold chain storage facilities in the country.“We are working again with the Department of Agriculture and an Australian Engineer which is at the forefront of this technology,” added Jacinto.Their plan is to provide 44-foot container sized cold storage facilities that could be managed and operated on behalf of the government to reduce food wastage. Several study groups involving the DA and Australian experts from the academe were also facilitated by the council.<div> </div><div>OTHER FILIPINO BUSINESSES</div>Meanwhile, other Filipino businesses continue to thrive in Australia, especially in the state of Victoria.The Victoria International Container Terminal which is Filipino-owned, continues to be the leading facility for container van loading and unloading in Australia.It is also the first fully automated container facility in all of Australia which accommodates shipments from all over the world.“We are proudly a Filipino company and all the strategic decisions are taken there so there are obviously very capable and smart people that took the right decisions for the company,” said Bruno Porcietto, the company’s CEO.He added that they built strong local relationships which made their company agile, facilitating thousands of container vans day in and out.Filipino Community Council of Victoria, Incorporated also transformed its social group into a business by providing aged-care services to fellow Filipinos and other ethnicities.They have over 300 workers and volunteers that give personalized care to the elderly.“We are just an arms reach for our Filipinos in Australia. We have to build our legacy so that our community can thrive, succeed and be abundant,” said CEO Roxanne Sarthou.They also have food relief programs for vulnerable families, international students, and elderly community members with food insecurity.As a group, they also continue to foster Filipino culture in their activities and events.Australia is home to over 400,000 Filipinos and is the 5th largest group of migrants.

Filipino-Australian business leaders who are based in Sydney said that it is working to bring in more tourists and food security strategies to the Philippines.

Filipino-Australian business leaders who are based in Sydney said that it is working to bring in more tourists and food security strategies to the Philippines.

Fil-Australian Business Council to aid in PH tourism and food security

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Fil-Australian Business Council to aid in PH tourism and food security

Annie Perez-Gallardo

Published June 11, 2026 07:47 AM PHT

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Updated June 11, 2026 12:06 PM PHT

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Australia

Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC)

tourism

Pinoy expats

Sydney

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