Phl wins bid to host As-Pac retail confab

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has won the right to host anew the Asia Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibition (APRCE) in 2015, the same event that placed the country in the global retail radar when Manila hosted it 22 years ago.

The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), the country’s largest organization of retailers and suppliers/ service providers and the prime movers in the retail industry, announced that it won the bid to bring the bi-annual gathering of the region’s retail industry leaders to the country for the second time during the Heads of Delegations (HOD) meeting of the Federation of Asia Pacific Retailers Association (FAPRA).

PRA and Robinsons Recreation Corp. president Frederick D. Go headed the PRA delegation that made the bid for the country’s hosting of the APRCE at the HOD Meeting of the FAPRA held in Turkey last year. The PRA delegation also included PRA Vice Chairman and Toby’s Sports Chairman Roberto Claudio, PRA Vice Chairman and Central Books President Ma. Alegria “Bing” Sibal- Limjoco, and PRA Secretary General Evelyn Balmeo – Salire.

FAPRA is the regional organization of retailers composed of 17 member-countries including the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, Mongolia, Turkey, Fiji and India.

“2015 is a perfect timing for us to host APRCE because it is the first year of the Asean Economic Integration. With Southeast Asia becoming a borderless single market by 2015, it is important that we show to the world that the Philippines can be the best entry point for global retailers in Asean,” Go emphasized.

Turkey will host the 16th APRCE in September this year. APRCE is the longest running regional retail conference and expo in Asia Pacific.

“The country’s hosting of the event comes in time for the completion of several retail and entertainment projects in Manila and in the key cities around the country. By 2013, the first facilities of Manila’s centerpiece gaming venue, the Manila Entertainment City of Pagcor, are expected to be completed,” Go added.

By 2015, over 40 new malls will be added to the Philippine retail landscape – which will show attendees of the APRCE a clear picture of the progressive Philippine retail industry.  They will also see first-hand the bevy of international brands that enjoy prominence in the country.

For inquiries, call the PRA executive secretariat at 6874180-81 and look for Mean Martinez or Em Sicatin.