DTI-CITEM Assembling a Strong Philippine Presence at China’s Trade Lib Expo

\The Philippines is set to create a strong presence at the China International Import Expo 2018 (CIIE) with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its export-marketing arm, the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) as the implementing agency, is now assembling a contingent of local SMEs offering various products and services. The CIIE is slated in Shanghai (China) on 05-10 November 2018.

A brainchild of Chinese President Xi Jinping (and announced at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in May 2017), the CIIE is focused solely on opening up China’s local market to international players – thus, no Chinese company will exhibit at the said event. CIIE organizers, the China International Import Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), Co Ltd), are expecting around USD10 trillion worth of goods and services to be procured from the more than 100 foreign exhibitors participating at the said trade event.

Trade liberalization and economic globalization are the drivers of President Xi’s Belt and Road Strategy. While China is counted among the country’s top trading partners, there is still a USD 9.84 billion trade deficit recorded by the Philippines. The CIIE presents a huge opportunity for Filipino businesses to establish a stronger foothold in the China’s 1.4 billion consumer market.

One way that the Philippine government can fortify the value chain of its trade with China by opening opportunities for local companies to service the needs of the vast domestic market of China. According to Trade Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado, ”Our local producers have a wide array of services and products to offer the Chinese market. What is good with our SMEs is that they are very versatile and can most certainly tweak their product or service offering to suit the distinct needs of the Chinese market.”

The CIIE is touted as China’s concrete move towards trade liberalization. Terrado adds, “We should take advantage of China’s commitment to do their share in narrowing their trade deficits with their trading partners.”

With approximately 150,000 participants from different countries, the companies exhibiting at the CIIE can also break into other international markets, and not just China’s domestic market.

CITEM is currently in talks with various local companies keen to tap into China’s market to join the Philippine Pavilion at the CIIE. The CIIE’S exhibition areas will include consumer electronics and appliances, apparel and consumer goods, food and agriculture products, high-end intelligent equipment, medical equipment and medical products, and automobile. Meanwhile, the services sector will comprise of tourism, culture and education spheres, creative design, education, service outsourcing and emerging technologies are set to do well, too.

The Philippines country pavilion at the Enterprise Zone is jointly organized with the Philippine of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). (PR)