Phl eyes to double sales from biggest trade expo

The Philippines aims to double this year the $124 million sales generated from its participation at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) last year.

”If we can get 100 [booths] this year, we will double last year, hopefully,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez told reporters.

He said the country is targeting to have 100 participants at this year’s event.

”We have secured 50. We are still looking for 50 more,” he said.

While most of the Philippine firms expected to participate in this year’s CIIE are those selling food products, he said the invitation to the event is open to all exporters.

The Philippines wants a bigger delegation at the CIIE this year as it beat its sales target last year.

It was aiming to generate $50 million from its participation last year, but raked in $124 million worth of sales.

The country also wants to bring more participants to the CIIE as it was unable to secure all the booths it requested for the country’s participation last year due to strong interest from various countries and firms to be part of the event.

While the country requested to have 150 booths at the CIIE last year, it only had 57 Philippine exhibitors.

The Philippine exhibitors which took part in the CIIE last year featured products and services including snacks, alcoholic beverages, coconut, mango, nuts, chocolates, coffee, cosmetics, baby care, electronic products, automotive products, culinary tour packages, as well as franchising and education services.

Taking part in the CIIE is considered important as the event, dubbed as China’s biggest trade expo, could serve as a platform for the Philippines to increase its exports of products and services, as well as encourage more Chinese firms to invest in the country.

This year’s CIIE will be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10.