DTI sets trade mission to Gulf countries

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to conduct an outbound business mission early next year to promote Philippine food and personal care products in Gulf countries.

“We have invited exporters from the food and personal care sectors to join the mission,” DTI - Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) director Bianca Sykimte said in a Viber message.

The DTI-EMB is organizing the business mission with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Dubai and Riyadh.

The outbound business matching mission is set to take place from Jan. 28 to Feb. 10, coinciding with Gulfood 2026, the world’s biggest food and hospitality show.

The mission will cover Dubai in United Arab Emirates, Jeddah and Dammam in Saudi Arabia and Doha in Qatar.

Through the mission, the DTI-EMB said that it aims to promote Philippine products as globally competitive and halal-compliant.

The mission will also involve business-to-business meetings to generate new export opportunities.

In addition, the DTI expects the business mission to help strengthen Philippine exporters’ market access and readiness to meet Gulf Cooperation Council countries’ requirements.

The business mission is part of the government’s efforts to promote exports’ growth.

Earlier this month, the DTI revised export targets for 2025 to 2028, amid global uncertainties affecting trade.

For last year, the new goal is for total exports covering both goods and services to reach $110.8 billion to $113.4 billion. This is lower than the previous target of $163.6 billion under the Philippine Export Development Plan.

In 2026, exports are projected to grow and reach $116.1 billion up to $120.2 billion, also lower than the previous target of $186.7 billion.

For 2027, the new target is for exports to  reach $123.3 billion up to $127.4 billion, down from an earlier goal of $212.1 billion.

By 2028, the goal is for exports to reach $132.8 billion to $135.1 billion, also lower than the initial $240.5 billion target.