Online platforms to promote Philippines food products

MANILA, Philippines — The exports promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry has launched two new online platforms dedicated to promoting the country’s food products.

Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan said FoodPhilippines.com and IFEXConnect.com, unveiled during the recent IFEX Philippines Digital Expo, were developed in response to the changes brought by the pandemic.

“One of the many things that the pandemic brought forth is the need to connect – now more than ever. COVID changed the way we at CITEM worked, especially with heightened activity online,” she said.

Trade Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman said the online platforms would also continue to promote Philippine food products, ingredients, cuisine, culinary talents and investment and partnership opportunities beyond the show.

Through interactive community platform FoodPhilippines.com, the country’s food heritage, culinary personalities, and well-loved recipes would be featured to engage with those interested in Philippine food from all over the world.

The platform would also serve as an online destination for other local government agencies for the promotion of Filipino products and cuisine under the FOODPhilippines brand.

Meanwhile, IFEXConnect.com is envisioned to serve as the new promotions and lead generation platform for buyers around the world.

IFEXConnect.com features food exhibitors from all over the country and provides access to more than 2,000 food products.

The platform features digital storefronts of Philippine food exporters to help enhance their discoverability and searchability for buyers.

It also allows business-to-business meetings to be arranged to directly connect buyers with companies and exhibitors.

“The platform is available 24/7 year-round to accommodate various global markets, which also makes Philippine food products more accessible,” Macatoman said.

Through these initiatives, Juan said CITEM is making sure efforts to promote the country’s Philippine food products continue even with the ongoing pandemic.