DTI showcases local brands in Indonesia

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will showcase Filipino retail brands in Jakarta as it seeks to boost the presence of Philippine-made products in the Indonesian market.

 “The regional integration in ASEAN presents opportunities for Philippine companies to expand to Indonesia and other ASEAN markets, and we certainly would like to actively take part in supporting Philippine companies in their regional expansion,” Philippine Embassy trade representative Alma Argayoso said.

Argayoso said showcasing Filipino retail brands in Jakarta is aimed at increasing the country’s trade with Indonesia which stood at $3.6 billion last year.

The Philippines’ exports of goods and services to Indonesia in 2015 reached about $628.27 million, while that of Indonesia to the Philippines stood at $2.93 billion.

DTI said among the Filipino apparel brands that will be showcased in the “Lifestyle Philippines” event in Jakarta are Karimadon, Rusty Lopez, Plains and Prints, and Cruzzini Barong Tagalog.

Apart from apparel, DTI said the event would also feature potential Filipino food products for exports such as Goldilocks polvoron, Mama Sita’s sauces and mixes, Leslie’s snack products, Destileria Limtuaco’s spirits and liquors, and other artisanal food products such as dried fruits and nuts, jams and marmalade, bottled sardines, and chocolate dipped dried mangoes.

Indigenous textiles from the Philippines, traditional dresses, linens, and modern and traditional pieces of jewelry will also be displayed for the Indonesian fashion-oriented consumers.

“We look forward to make Filipino products more available in the Indonesian market, particularly since there are many Indonesians, having visited or studied in the Philippines, who look for our products,” Argayoso said.