The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) was recently recognized for its outstanding representation of the Philippines through trade exhibitions and promotions in China, bagging the Best Trade Visitor Award, Best Promotion on Investment Cooperation, and Best Organizer for Online CAEXPO awards for the country’s participation at the 19th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in 2022. CITEM, in partnership with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Guangzhou, spearheaded the Philippine participation in CAEXPO in Guangxi, China.
The recognition was held last May 9 at the CAEXPO 2023 Senior Officials Meeting held in Nanning, China with CITEM Executive Director Dr. Edward L. Fereira officially receiving the awards.
“We are very delighted and honored to receive prestigious awards from the China-ASEAN community. I want to congratulate our Philippine delegation for championing our country in the global market. These awards represent the excellence and innovation of our Filipino MSMEs to further position the country as a key player in the regional trade and investment sector. We have a lot more in store for everyone in the upcoming CAEXPO 2023 this September,” said CITEM Executive Director Dr. Edward Fereira.
Over 20 Filipino food and lifestyle MSMEs participated in the 19th edition of CAEXPO held at the Nanning International Convention & Exhibition Center in China last September 2022. The Philippine delegation, with the assistance of CITEM, showcased healthy, natural, and specialty food products and services such as coconut products, coffee products, banana chips, and banana powder. Emerging food products including turmeric, calamansi juice concentrate with bignay, and ube powder were also displayed.
There is a positive outlook for fresh and natural Philippine products in the Chinese market. The Philippines looks forward to expanding its exports to China by an additional USD 14.1 billion in the next coming years based on the Export Potential Assessment (EPA) undertaken by the International Trade Centre (ITC). The recently signed agricultural cooperation between the Philippines and China started shipping the first batch of durian to China last April. The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) expects to generate over USD 150 million worth of revenue in durian exports. CAEXPO is an annual international event with the aim to promote the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) and strengthen cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, tourism, and diplomatic relations between ASEAN and China.
About CITEM
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). For nearly 40 years, CITEM has established the country’s image as a premier destination for quality export products and services. It continues to set the highest standards of creativity, excellence and innovation to achieve competitiveness in the home, fashion, lifestyle, food, creative, and sustainability sectors.
CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), brands, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated approach to export marketing in partnership with other government and private entities.*
Date of release: 17 May 2023