$1-B sales generated by DTI trade missions

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine exporters generated a total of $1 billion worth of sales from trade missions and fairs last year, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“For 2013, the DTI continued to apply strategic market and product approaches in its programs, projects and activities to promote the country’s exports,” Trade undersecretary Ponciano C. Manalo, Jr. said in a statement.

In particular, the DTI conducted six outbound missions and 22 inbound business matching activities last year.

The outbound trade missions which were conducted in China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Japan, assisted 50 exporters and generated $77.54 million worth of spot and booked sales.

The sectors covered by the trade missions were fresh and processed fruits, organic and conventional coconut products, coffee, piña fiber, processed poultry, seafood products, software development, and personal care products.

Inbound business matching activities meanwhile, assisted 411 exporters and generated $2.02 million worth of spot and booked sales.

These inbound business matching activities likewise linked Philippine exporters to 194 buyers and importers from Israel, Turkey, China, South Korea, Netherlands, Singapore, Poland, United States, Japan, the  United Kingdom, and Australia.

The DTI pointed out that the inbound and outbound missions are expected to bring in an additional $2.408 million and $40.33 million, respectively, in one to two years.

The department also said exporters sold $879.019 million worth of goods at trade fairs organized in the country or held abroad.

From the sale of goods at trade fairs organized by the DTI’s export marketing arm – Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) – in the country such as the International Food Exhibition Philippines, DeXign Global Philippines, and Manila FAME (March and October editions), exporters raised $667.235 million.

Exporters, meanwhile generated $211.784 million worth of sales from international trade fairs such as the Euroluce in Italy, Hong Kong Houseware Fair, Maison Et Objet in France, the Hotel Show in Dubai, Fashion Access in Hong Kong, Gulfood in Dubai, Foodex in Japan, Anuga in Germany, Seafex in Dubai, and China-ASEAN Expo in China.

Moving forward, the DTI expects even more export receipts as a result of its campaign to reach out to exporters in the region as well as information sessions being conducted on using free trade deals.