DTI urges PH entrepreneurs to join China Expo

30 May 2024, Pasay City — Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Dr. Ceferino Rodolfo, on Thursday, encouraged business enterprises across the Philippines to join the 21st China-ASEAN Expo.

In a promotion conference held by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) at the Diamond Hotel, Rodolfo made a brief presentation inviting small and medium enterprises to take part in the Chinese expo saying that “the bilateral relations we (Philippines) currently have with China and the ASEAN is one of the most beneficial to our trade industry.”

“As CAEXPO is meant to complement the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, it is only fitting that we use this strong connection to pursue our country's economic thrusts when it comes to our export promotions agenda for trade and investments in the Philippines,” Rodolfo added.

The promotion conference was attended by the CAEXPO Secretariat, led by the Secretary General herself, Dr. Wei Zhaohui, who made a thorough presentation on the salient features of the 21st CAEXPO.

“Since its inception, CAEXPO has become an important platform for mutual opening up and cooperation between China and ASEAN,” Zhaohui claimed.

Known as an economic and trade event inaugurated in 2004, CAEXPO is the first and only international trade show in the ASEAN region dedicated to bolster the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area.

This year, CAEXPO will put in place mechanisms to improve the annual Chinese trade fair. From its usual four-day run, the trade show will now be extended to five days — the first three days of which will be exclusive to trade visitors while the last two days will be open to the public. CAEXPO is also set to include a “Pavilion of Strategic Emerging Industries” to complement the existing ones. Apart from this, a first-ever ASEAN high-tech zone and zone for fashion products will be unveiled in the 21st edition.

From left to right: Mr. Huang Ge, Research and Development Director of the CAEXPO Secretariat; Mr. Cheng Gong, Exhibition Management Division Director of the CAEXPO Secretariat; Ma. Lourdes Mediran, CITEM-OIC and Deputy Executive Director; Mr. Francis Chua, Chairman Emeritus of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr. Wei Zhaohui, Secretary General of the CAEXPO Secretariat; Dr. Ceferino Rodolfo, DTI Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy; Mr. Yang Guoliang, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines; Ms. Huang Xin, Liaison Division Deputy Director of the CAEXPO Secretariat; and Mr. David Ni, President of China-Australia Trade and Commerce Development Association.

For her part, CITEM Deputy Executive Director Ma. Lourdes Mediran extended gratitude to small and medium enterprises, calling them “the backbone of our trade industry.”

“Your quality products and excellent work ethics and skills are instrumental to the success we have had with our overseas trade fairs through the years,” Mediran said.

Mediran has, likewise, invited business enterprises to explore opportunities and do business in the 21st CAEXPO, saying “that the Philippines enjoyed solid figures from last year’s participation and the impact of exposure of last year’s Philippine exhibitors continue to propel us this year.”

The Philippine delegation will feature Ilagan City as its “City of Charm.” Along with other cities from participating ASEAN countries, Ilagan city will showcase investment opportunities involving various sectors tied up with potential partnerships with the local government unit.

In 2023, the Philippines generated USD 10.36 million in export sales following its participation in the 20th CAEXPO. This included booked orders on top of onsite retail performance by 15 Philippine SMEs.

On the other hand, Filipino entrepreneur and  Bebebalm Incorporated founder Caroline Ong shared how CAEXPO has helped her penetrate the huge China market.

“Considering my products are not food, CAEXPO is the way to go. I’ve attended so many expos but CAEXPO is the one closest to my heart because I’ve felt the support of both the Philippine government and Chinese government,” Ong said.

“If your products gained positive feedback in CAEXPO, it will surely do well in China. I’ve not met anybody in there who has not gained anything,” she added.

The 21st CAEXPO, set on September 24 to 28, 2024 in Nanning, China, will be a combination of onsite and online participation from ASEAN countries. The CAEXPO online platform will provide a business-matching system prior to the trade show, followed by targeted matching services during its 5-day run to help Chinese and ASEAN merchants land prospect markets.