RP trade promos in Japan generate $38 million

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines trade promotion activities in Japan last year earned $38 million, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced yesterday.

“About 1,100 Philippine companies gained exposure to the Japanese market through the trade promotion activities initiated by the government in key sectors namely home furnishings and wearable, food, IT and IT-enabled services and construction materials and services,” reported Senior Trade Undersecretary Thomas G. Aquino.

DTI said this is one of the concrete results of the benefits of signing the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

“The JPEPA-assisted initiatives are meant to cushion our local enterprises from the slump in traditional markets last year. The activities were all meant to explore the opportunities in Japan and how our local companies can benefit from them,” Aquino explained.

DTI through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) implemented eight trade promotion projects under JPEPA last year. This includes participation in Japan ’s key international trade platforms such as Interior Lifestyle Exhibition (home furnishings and wearable), International Jewellery Show (fine jewelry), Foodex (food), and Japan Home and Building Show (construction materials and services).

Under JPEPA, incoming business missions from Japan were also organized for CITEM’s locally held international fairs: International Food Exhibition Philippines Very Important Buyer Program; e-Services Global Sourcing Conference and Exhibition in cooperation with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA); and Manila F.A.M.E. International.

The Philippine participation in Foodex generated orders for Philippine fresh pineapples, biscuits and confectioneries, and other marine products. The Philippine participation was also supported by the country’s Export Development Council (EDC).

Under the participation in Japan Home and Building Show, joint venture partnerships were formed with Philippine company manufacturing wall panels made of laminated indigenous materials since green building materials were prominent in Japan .

Locally, Japanese buyers who visited Manila F.A.M.E. International in 2009 contributed $1.6 million in sales in the show’s April edition and $1.9 million in sales in the October show.