Citem brings PH goods to growing markets

THE PHILIPPINES is taking advantage of its neighbors’ booming tourism sector to introduce Filipino food exports to the global market.

This is why the Department of Trade and Industry’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem) is joining Food Taipei 2016 trade show in Taiwan, whose international tourism volume of around 10 million is almost double the Philippines’ 5.4 million in 2015.

“That means 10 million from around the world come to Taiwan, which has become increasingly dependent on imports to feed those tourists and even its own native population of some 24 million for lack of arable land for sufficient food production,” said Citem Executive Director Rosvi C. Gaetos.

Of Taiwan’s 10 million annual tourist volume, 4.3 million comes from mainland China. It also has a foreign resident population of more than half a million consisting mostly of Koreans, Americans, Japanese, Burmese, Vietnamese, Canadians, French, Indians, Germans and Australians.

“Citem is therefore targeting the world by establishing the brand presence of Food Philippines in strategically effective markets of high global visibility,” Gaetos explained.

As a national industry brand, Food Philippines unifies Citem’s overseas promotional efforts by positioning the archipelago as Asia’s most exciting sourcing destination for food exports.

The Philippines is one of the world’s top exporters of fresh fruits and marine products.

Exports of raw ingredients alone to such countries as the United States, Japan, Canada, South Korea and The Netherlands totaled $401.45 million in October 2014, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

As such, Citem’s promotional campaign in nearby Taiwan is for the long term.

The Philippines is participating in the 26th Taipei International Food Show on June 22-25 with the theme Taste by Design.

Participating in Food Taipei 2016 are Philippine Grocers Food Exports Inc., Prime Fruits International Inc., Team Asia Corp., Magic Melt Foods Inc., Pasciolco Agri Ventures, Raw Brown Sugar Milling Co. Inc., Castillejos Agri-Farms Inc., JBM Foods and Riverdale Confectionery Industry Inc.

As the DTI’s export promotions arm, Citem develops, nurtures and promotes globally competitive small and medium enterprises (SMEs), exporters, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated approach to export marketing in partnership with other government and private entities.