FILIPINO exporters successfully connected with prospective buyers from China and member-states of the Asean through a business-to-business (B2B) matching facilitated by the Export Marketing Bureau of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-EMB) at the 15th China-Asean Expo (Caexpo) held from September 12 to 15 in Nanning, Guangxi, China.
A highlight of the B2B matching was the meeting with the Guangdong Food Importers Association which gathered 89 buyers all set to explore business opportunities in the Philippines. This initiative was made possible through the cooperation of the Caexpo Organizing Team and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Guangzhou.
Aside from the meeting with the Guangdong Food Importers Association, the DTI-EMB also conducted daily B2B engagements at the Philippine Commodity Pavilion at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center. Over 160 business meetings transpired and resulted in $4.3 million (about P32.2 million) booked and negotiated sales, aside from the retail sales generated in the four-day event.
The Philippines’s participation in the 15th Caexpo reflected a continuous commitment to establish strong trade cooperation with China and other Asean countries. Collaborative efforts were geared toward the setting up of the Philippine national pavilion and the Philippine commodity pavilion.
At the commodity pavilion, 70 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) unveiled an array of food and beverage products, food supplements, fashion wearables, arts and crafts, personal care and services from the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the national pavilion showcased the trade opportunities, cultural tourism and investment priority areas of this year’s featured City of Charm, Tarlac.
Through its Ripples Plus Program, the DTI-EMB supported and enabled the participation in Caexpo of 18 enrolled exporters from various regions in the country.
The DTI-EMB also served as an institutional partner in organizing this year’s Philippine participation to the Caexpo, along with the DTI Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, Board of Investments, Foreign Trade Service Corps, Philippine Trade and Investment Center Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai, Department of Agriculture Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, Provincial Government of Tarlac, Tourism Promotions Board and DTI Region 11.