Phl eyed as ASEAN design hub

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will try to position the Philippines as a hub for design and craftsmanship in preparation for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 as it launched DeXign Global, a business platform to introduce trends and innovations for home and fashion yesterday.

DTI’s Bureau of Export Trade Promotion director Senen Perlada told reporters at the opening of DeXign Global at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, the event is being held to prepare the Philippines and position the country as a design hub in the region given the upcoming AEC.

“We are bringing them (designers from overseas) here to see what we have. This (design) is where we really have our edge,” he said.

Rosario Virginia Gaetos, executive director of the DTI’s export marketing arm Center for International Trade and Expositions and Mission (CITEM) told reporters that as the AEC would be established in two years time, the government recognizes that the local design community has to prepare and look at how it can promote its products to the 600 million potential customers in the region.

The AEC is expected to lead to free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labor as well as flow of capital in the region.

Gaetos said that for the country to be able to promote its strength in design, it is important for local designers to be updated with trends and innovations in home and fashion products overseas.

As many young local designers cannot attend trade shows being held overseas, she said Global DeXign would allow them to be updated with the latest trends.

“This is one attempt of bringing global design for them to be able to learn what is happening in the world,” she said.

Foreign designers and exhibitors in the event, she said, would also benefit as they are given an opportunity to sell their products here.