JOIN TRADE SHOWS, CITEM URGES SMES
Officials of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions say that even with online platforms available to small and medium enterprises, trade exhibits are still effective in attracting clients
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem) is encouraging more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to join exhibits so they can meet new buyers and expand their market reach.
Citem Information Officer Luzviminda Soriano, in an interview yesterday, said that amid the presence of online platforms that help boost products of exporters, joining exhibits still remain an effective tool for marketing and promotion.
“Buyers would still love to touch and feel your products before buying them,” said Soriano.
Citem is the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It links and invites exporters to showcase their products in both local and international exhibitions.
Soriano said that while the country continues to remain visible in international shows, they noted high buyer traffic of locals buying export quality products in locally-mounted exhibits.
“The local market is our biggest market now, with some local buyers already directly linking with the exporter,” she said.
Citem charges minimal cost to exhibitors who join their trade shows. They also help evaluate the performance of regional exhibitors prior to endorsing them to international trade shows.
Request for subsidies
In earlier interviews, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) Cebu reiterated its plea to the government to help them shoulder the cost of joining trade fairs to become more competitive.
Philexport executive director Fred Escalona said the appeal to increase the budget to finance exporters’ participation in inter- national trade shows has been a long- standing concern which they hope the current administration would address.
“There are plenty of opportunities for the exporters to shine in the international arena, but we need financial support. We need to to have bigger booths to attract buyers,” said Escalona.
Citem is staging two big events this year—the Manila Fame, which is slated on April 19 to 21, and the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines this May 25 to 27, both at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
Now on its 67th edition, the show will showcase versatile and artisanal products attuned to the modern setting from the country’s top home, fashion, holiday and gifts designers and manufacturers.
Citem said they are aiming to increase the number of new products to be showcased this year.
“Citem seeks to further elevate the marketability of local crafts to cement the Philippines as a premier sourcing destination for lifestyle and design products,” said Ma. Lourdes Mediran, Citem Deputy Executive Director, in a statement.
She said the agency is working closely with the country’s best designers and government agencies to help micro, small and medium enterprises shine in the international market by incorporating local traditional materials and techniques with contemporary design aesthetics.
Highlights
Last year’s October Manila Fame exhibited more than 1,200 products.
The IFEX, on the other hand, will stage its first special edition featuring “the Best of the Seas,” which centers on the fast- growing seafood market in the Philippines and other Asian countries.
“For its 12th edition, we will highlight the Philippines’ finest seafood to satisfy the growing global demand for marine product and coastal cuisines, along with other exquisite food products across the globe,” said Nora Terrado, DTI Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotions Group and Citem officer-in-charge.
Last year’s IFEX was attended by nearly 11,000 international and local visitors, including 2,057 high-profile trade buyers from top global retail giants and supermarkets in Europe, China, Middle East, East Asia, America and Southeast Asia.