For the purpose of responding to the baseless news reports published in the Philippines press about the Turkish wheat flour, the “Wheat Flour Sector Delegation Program” was implemented under the coordination of the Foreign Trade Under-Secretariat and organization of our General Secretariat in Manila, Philippines, between April 12 – 18, 2010.

The 15-strong delegation, which comprised the representatives of the Foreign Trade Under-Secretariat, Agricultural and Rural Affairs Ministry of the Republic of Turkey, Unions of Exporters and industrialists exporting flour to the Philippines, met Dr. Nazarita Tacandong, General Director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines on April 14, 2010, ensuring publication of the press release of April 15, 2010 by FDA, which notes that the Turkish flour is not harmful on human health.

The delegation representatives met the former Philippines Senate Speaker and Interior Minister, Aquilino Pimentel Jr. on April 15, 2010. Turgay Ünlü, the President of the Cereals, Pulses, Oil Seeds and Products Exporters Union, drew attention to the fact that according to both the results of the analyses caused by the companies to be made by international surveillance companies in connection with flour exports and results of the analyses made by FDA, the Turkish flour is actually safe and hygienic and that FDA had a press release in connection therewith. Emphasizing that the commercial friendships of both countries are highly important, Mr. Ünlü received Mr. Pimentel’s promise to make a statement to press for correction of this mistake.

Also meeting the officers of the Philippines Trade and Industry Ministry on April 15, 2010, the delegation held a press conference led by his Excellency Turkish Ambassador, Adnan Başağa, on April 16, 2010.

As part of the delegation, a series of discussions and meetings were held with the Philippines Trade and Industry Ministry, Chamber of Industry and Trade, importers of the Turkish flour in the Philippines and PR companies.