Spearheading promotion efforts of economic relations with China, the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Trade and Promotion Abdulgani Macatoman led the Philippine Delegation to the 16th China-Asean (CAEXPO) and 16th China-Asean Business and Investment Summit held from September 21 to 24 at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center in Guangxi province, China.
The 16th CAEXPO is considered as the second-biggest trade event in China, with a total exhibition space of about 124,000 square meters with 4,600 exhibition booths and around 57,000 visitors.
They highlighted the Philippine’s trade potentials through an exhibit of products and commodities from various sectors, including home, fashion and wearables, gifts, handicrafts, personal care, food and services.
The Philippine participation spotlighted this year’s Philippine featured destination, the province of General Santos City as the “City of Charm” led by Hon. Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera which aims to promote Philippine tourism and business opportunities to the huge Chinese and Southeast Asian market.
Aside from promoting the trade, investment and tourism sectors of General Santos DTI also promoted the country’s developing economic zones in coordination with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and Board of Investments (BOI), as well as relevant investment promotion agencies (IPAs).
Meanwhile, Philippine Investment Promotion Conference was held at the sidelines of the CAEXPO on September 22, jointly organized by the DTI-BOI and Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM).
“The Philippine economy is in a position of strength to weather difficult global environment, its current landscape provides plentiful opportunities for domestic and foreign investors alike and the Philippine government remains committed to staying that course.” Macatoman said.
Through this international trade fair, China eyes to connect and boost its investments in Asean countries and provide infrastructure developments particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises to participate in the global value chain.
“PRRD declared his personal guarantee to investors and call on businessmen to ride with PH on its economic growth story to reach the ultimate goal of creating inclusive growth and shared prosperity to lead to better quality of life for our countrymen,” Macatoman emphasized.
“As we continue to further our efforts to improve trade relations with China, the ASEAN nations and the rest of the global market, the Philippine government shall, to the best of its abilities, commit to maintaining a conducive environment that allows businesses to thrive in moving towards a more streamlined global trade network,” according to DTI Undersecretary for the Trade Promotions Group (TPG) Abdulgani Macatoman.
The Philippine participation in CAEXPO was led by DTI-CITEM in partnership with the Local Government of General Santos City, Philippine Trade and Investment Centers (PTIC) in Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai, DTI – Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), DTI – Regional Offices, Foreign Trade Service Corps. (FTSC), Board of Investments (BOI), the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and other investment promotion agencies (IPAs).♦
Date of Release: 25 September 2019