Manila, April 27 -- Export-oriented commodities in the agriculture sector will take center stage in the first-ever Philippines Hand-in-Hand (HIH) National Investment forum, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Monday.

This came as the agency officially opened the first edition of the HIH national investment forum with international partners in Ortigas, Pasig City.

The move is in line with the agency's target to position the Philippines as one of the leading agribusiness hubs in Asia.

"This year, we are officially launching the first-ever National Investment Forum focusing on research, policies, and modernization of our agriculture sector, and to determine what the gaps, issues, and concerns hounding the private investment in the ...