To push forward the development of the silk industry, PTRI requested from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for a dispatch of a Sericulture Expert to review and assess the work done in the past and on-going sericulture activities in the various area of the country.  He is also tasked to identify major constraints on sericulture development in collaboration with PTRI, Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), Sericulture Research and Development Institute (SRDI), and other relevant sericulture organizations.  Engr. Hee Hwan Chun, KOICA Sericulture expert arrived in PTRI last July 01, 2004 to commence his 5-month mission.

At the end of his mission, he is expected to present an Integrated National Sericulture Plan and a design for the establishment of a silk filature plant in Mindanao.  Engr. Chun is expected to strengthen PTRI's international cooperation to obtain superior resources through the mission's supportive arrangements.