Country's exporters exceed sales goal at CIIE exposition

MANILA - Philippine companies sold a total of $124 million worth of products at the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai earlier this month, according to the Philippine trade department.

The Department of Trade and Industry said total Philippine sales included $108 million of signed orders for various agricultural products including bananas, avocados and oranges.

It also included $16 million of direct sales from exhibitors during the expo, held on Nov 5-10, the DTI said.

"This is a big win for Philippine companies, especially those in the agriculture industry, as we push for greater promotion of our fresh fruits category in China's huge market," Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a statement.

He added the "figures exceeded our target sales for this participation, which was $50 million".

The DTI brought 57 exhibitors to the event, where they occupied a 500-square-meter space at the biggest import expo in China.

The exhibitors featured leading Philippine products and services including snacks, alcoholic beverages, coconut, mango, nuts, chocolates and coffee.

Cosmetics, baby care, electronic, automotive products, culinary tour packages, franchising and education services were also on display at the Philippine pavilion.

"DTI is looking forward to bringing a bigger delegation to next year's CIIE," Lopez said, adding that his department is eyeing 100 stands for next year and to double its sales compared to this year.

"A wider variety of Philippine fresh fruits is targeted next year," Lopez said.

China hosted the expo to give foreign companies a platform to showcase their local products, part of China's policy to further open its market.

The six-day event was the world's first import-themed national-level expo.

Hosting the expo sent a clear signal to the world that China will continue expanding its opening-up and its campaign for economic globalization, which will benefit the Philippines, Lopez told Xinhua.

China has risen to become the largest trading partner of the Philippines, with the bilateral trade standing at $51.28 billion last year. China is also the Philippines' top source of imports and fourth-largest export destination.

Among the imports from the Philippines to China last year were roughly 900,000 metric tons of tropical fruits, including pineapple, mango, coconut and banana.

Xinhua - China Daily

(China Daily 11/21/2018 page7)