PH SPECIALTY COFFEE AND COCONUT MAKE BIG SPLASH AT CIIE
SHANGHAI – The Philippines’ food products and island flavors again took center stage at the world’s largest import-themed trade event, as buyers and consumers trooped to the Food Philippines Pavilion at the 5th China International Import Expo (CIIE) running from 5 to 10 November.
Although fully open from Day 1, Food Philippines was formally inaugurated in simple rites on 06 November. Philippine delegation head Consul General Josel F. Ignacio, Liwayway China Co. Ltd. (Oishi) President Larry Chan, and the guest of honor, Chinese Ministry of Commerce Deputy Director General Ran Deyan did the ribbon-cutting and delivered remarks.
DTI Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual also delivered videotaped greetings, underscoring the Philippines’ presence at the CIIE as a “practical response to opportunity, an imperative to expand our international market”. The Secretary invited Chinese investors to seize opportunities in the Philippines and Chinese traders to ramp up imports, with the country as reliable partner and supplier.
Attesting to Food Philippines’ track record of success at the CIIE, this year’s Pavilion occupied its largest floor space yet at 168 sqm., featuring products from a record 62 Philippine exhibitors.
Philippine specialty coffee made a grand entrance as the Pavilion ran its first-ever coffee nook, where guests tried various brews and cocktails using coffee from the Cordilleras, Northern and Southern Luzon, and Mindanao.
Philippine Coconut was also given its well-deserved spotlight with Food Pavilion devoting almost a third of its space to a Coconut Philippines pavilion dedicated to coconut-derived goods.
For the second straight year, Food Philippines stood side-by-side with the colorful pavilion of Oishi – popularly known in China as Shanghaojia – of PH global food player Liwayway China Co. Ltd.
Cross-exhibit traffic was lively and heavy, as joint promotional activities and games between the two Pavilions enticed throngs of visitors.
Rounding off the Philippine official delegation were Deputy Consul General Marlowe A. Miranda, Consul John Francis S. Herrera, PTIC-Beijing Commercial Counselor Emmanuel Niño W. Ang, CITEM Business Representative Raymond Tan, and DTI-Export Marketing Bureau Specialists Ms. Heizle Trasmañas, Christine Grace C. Victoria, and Raiza A. Caybot. Also in attendance were Consular Attachés Jeannie F. Petrola, Jennifer M. Ranches and Mark Geguera, and Foreign Tourism Officer Warren S. Palacio.
2022 marked the Philippines’ fifth straight participation in the Expo, a centerpiece economic event in Shanghai and indeed China’s annual calendar. In 2021, the Philippines netted over US$ 590 million in purchases at the CIIE. END
