As the Philippines’ main export and investment promotion agency, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has organized the country’s participation in the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) on November 5 to 10, 2018 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China.
This is in line with the DTI’s aim to further penetrate the huge Chinese market through country participation in trade expositions and facilitation of its business-to-business linkages.
Dubbed as China’s largest expo, more than 100 countries are anticipated to join the CIIE, while over 100,000 professional Chinese buyers have registered to attend the event. The week-long expo will also include side activities such as business matching meetings as well as trade and investment forums.
Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez will lead the country’s CIIE participation this year, along with DTI Trade and Investments Promotions Group (TIPG) Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado.
“China is a priority market for the Philippines and we want to push for exports of our products and services. We are also keen on attracting Chinese investments,” said Lopez.
Under the theme: “Partner Philippines: Building Value Together,” the Philippine National Pavilion will showcase at CIIE the country’s initiatives in the areas of trade, investment, and tourism.
The highlights of the major pavilion also include traditional Filipino performances and a video installation depicting the milestones of Philippine-China relations, which dates back to the 16th century.
Meanwhile, Sec. Lopez and Usec. Terrado will represent the country at the Hongqiao International Forum and at the official opening ceremony of CIIE, which will be presided by Chinese President Xi Jin Ping on November 5, 2018.
“Our Philippine Trade and Investment Centers in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai will be arranging business meetings for our major Chinese buyers and our Filipino exhibitors during the CIIE,” said Terrado.
“We will gauge our success by the number of new business connections that we will be able to establish during this CIIE participation,” she added.
As part of the country’s goal to cater to the diverse Chinese consumer market, a total of 35 Filipino exhibitors are set to feature top-notch products and services from the Philippines.
Out of the 35 exhibitors, 28 will promote food products including snacks, alcoholic beverages, coconut, mango, nuts, chocolates, and coffee at the Food and Agricultural Products Halls 7.2 and 8.2.
China currently serves as a top export market destination for the Philippines, with $940 million or 15.3 percent of the latter’s total exports in August, according to the latest trade data by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
This recorded a 34.4-percent increase from the export value of $699.5 million in the same month last year.
