MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) was recently recognized for its outstanding representation of the Philippines through trade exhibitions and promotions in China, bagging the Best Trade Visitor Award, Best Promotion on Investment Cooperation, and Best Organizer for Online CAEXPO awards for the country’s participation at the 19th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in 2022. CITEM, in partnership with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Nanning, spearheaded the Philippine participation in CAEXPO in Guangxi, China.
The recognition was held last May 09 at the CAEXPO 2023 Senior Officials Meeting held in Nanning, China with CITEM Executive Director Dr. Edward Fereira officially receiving the awards.
“We are very delighted and honored to receive prestigious awards from the China-ASEAN community. I want to congratulate our Philippine delegation for championing our country in the global market. These awards represent the excellence and innovation of our Filipino MSMEs to further position the country as a key player in the regional trade and investment sector. We have a lot more in store for everyone in the upcoming CAEXPO 2023 this September,” said Dr. Fereira.
Over 20 Filipino food and lifestyle MSMEs participated in the 19th edition of CAEXPO held at the Nanning International Convention & Exhibition Center in China last September 2022. The Philippine delegation, with the assistance of CITEM, showcased healthy, natural, and specialty food products and services such as coconut products, coffee products, banana chips, and banana powder. Emerging food products including turmeric, calamansi juice concentrate with bignay, and ube powder were also displayed.
There is a positive outlook for fresh and natural Philippine products in the Chinese market. Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual looks forward to expanding the exports to China by an additional USD 14.1 billion in the next coming years. The recently signed agricultural cooperation between the Philippines and China started shipping the first batch of durian to China last April. The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) expects to generate over USD 150 million worth of revenue in durian exports.
CAEXPO is an annual international event to promote the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) and strengthen cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, tourism, and diplomatic relations between ASEAN and China.
