About 17 food producers from Central Visayas will showcase their products in the upcoming International Food Exposition (IFEX) Philippines this coming May 15 until 18 at SM Mall of Asia.
IFEX is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and will be considered as the culminating activity for small and medium sized entrepreneurs coming from provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor to the Partner Region Program (PRP) conducted this year.
The PRP was conducted in cooperation with the Philippine Trade Training Center, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Science and Technology.
CITEM also has an integrated assistance package for exporters who want to leverage on the country’s reputation as a source of quality food exports through innovating and developing higher value products. Under PRP, selected food companies from the regions are given product development and packaging assistance to boost their competitiveness.
DTI said that appropriate assistance have been given to SMEs under the PRP in the form of trainings, seminars and updates on food quality and safety, food packaging, marketing and branding. Business matching and one-on-one buyer meetings are also conducted and arranged for its proponents.
The PRP gives specific focus on regional food products that have potentials in both domestic and international markets. After application of the relevant technical and marketing related interventions, these products are showcased in a special setting at the IFEX Philippines for market testing.
Here in Cebu, DTI’s Elias Tecson said that around five exhibitors will be joining the international exposition in Manila under PRP and these include SMEs such as Eco Nuestra (bottled sardines, amahon), Andre Choco (chocolate products) and Lola Pureza (broas). Magic Melt will also showcase their food products as well as MLhuillier, which will feature their dried mangoes. —Rhia de Pablo
Also participating are Bohol Bee Farm (honey spread, honey products,) Jojies’s Bakeshop (bakery products), Tienda Boholana (oatmeal cookies), BQ Bread Basket (bakery products), Bohol Quality Pastries (peanut kisses), Candabong Ric Multipurpose Cooperative (ginger tea), Tessies’s Sweets and Pastries (bakery products), Ever (peanut broas), Duran’s (banana fries) and Jainin’s Pastries (tortalita).
In Negros Oriental, about five locally produced food delicacies will be showcased and these are Orient Food Industries’ tropical fruits; Sans Rival's jam squares and sylvannas; Ivon's baye-baye; Chantilly's bod-bod kabog; and the bod-bod of Tanjay.
These food companies have been getting assistance in food packaging, development and enhancement to make regional products competitive in both domestic and international markets under the PRP program.
The owners are given trainings and seminars in production and marketing-related topics to help improve their production towards safe and quality products as well as equip them with the knowledge to improve their negotiation skills in dealing with local and foreign buyers.
During the IFEX all products from Region 7, in their enhanced packaging and labels will be showcased in a special setting at the main exhibition hall in which local and foreign buyers are expected to visit.