Philippines exhibitors joining China’s biggest trade expo

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 57 exhibitors from the Philippines are participating in the first China International Import Expo (CIIE), dubbed as China’s largest trade event.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said of the 57 exhibitors, 36 are engaged in commodities and services, 11 are universities and 10 are partner agencies and companies.

Of the 36 exhibitors engaged in commodities and services, 28 will showcase food and agricultural products, five will feature consumer goods such as apparel, accessories, electronics and automobile and information technology; and three are involved in tourism and service outsourcing.

The 36 exhibitors have booths at the CIIE’s enterprise zone, while the other Philippine exhibitors are featured at the country’s national pavilion.

The Philippine National Pavilion will feature the country’s initiatives in trade, investments and tourism.

Apart from this, the national pavilion will showcase education services particularly, undergraduate and graduate programs, and English as a second language of the 11 Philippine universities.

The CIIE, which started yesterday and will run until Nov. 10 in Shanghai, is intended to strengthen trade relations between China and the Philippines.

It is considered a good platform for companies to show what they can offer to the Chinese market and to explore business opportunities.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman emeritus Francis Chua earlier raised concern against the country’s participation in CIIE as the Philippines was initially given only two of the requested 150 booths at the event.

“China is a priority market for the Philippines and we want to push for exports of our products and services. We are also keen on attracting Chinese investments,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

The Philippine Trade and Investment Centers in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai will also arrange business meetings for major Chinese buyers and Filipino exhibitors.

China is currently the top destination of Philippine exports.