Value-addition, tourism seen key to attracting British market

DAVAO CITY — British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad said local producers need to focus on developing value-added goods and enhanced tourist destinations to attract more consumers and travelers from the United Kingdom (UK).

Speaking at a briefing and business networking lunch organized by the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines ( BCCP) at the Damosa District here, Mr. Ahmad said the impending ‘Brexit,’ the move of the UK to leave the European Union, will open that country’s market as it becomes more “free-trading, liberal-minded.”

“Value-adding of products and destinations is very lucrative,” he said, noting that buyers usually look for products that are attractive in terms of packaging and are of good quality.

He cited agricultural products from the Philippines such as fruits as one of the potential commodities that would be attractive to the British market.

Peter Damary, consultant on the Mindanao Collective Trademark, pointed out that it is necessary for local producers not only to add value to their products, but also “to ensure that they are attractive in terms of packaging and labeling.”

“They need to consider investing in packaging because no matter what the quality of the product is, if they are not attractive, they can hardly be noticed,” said Mr. Damary.

In terms of export logistics, Mr. Ahmad suggested that producers negotiate with airline companies to increase their cargo load and make the rates cheaper.

“There are flights that do not have much cargo, so producers need to talk with these airlines to make their air freight affordable,” he said.

On tourism, Mr. Ahmad said local destinations are already “attractive,” but these must be made “market-ready for UK and the European Union” in terms of facilities and infrastructure.

He noted that the Philippines had only about 150,000 visitors from the UK last year.

“The Philippines needs only to improve these destinations and market them,” he said, adding that British travelers are among those who are known to spend more.

INVESTMENT

Meanwhile, the British envoy said investors from the UK are also looking at the potential of Mindanao for business ventures.

Chris Nelson, BCCP executive chairman, said his group organized the visit to Davao City to expose British investors to opportunities in the southern part of the country. —