The Philippines will participate in two major import-export fairs in China this year and has reopened a trade and investment center in Hong Kong to further boost commerce between the two countries.
Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez announced at the virtual 46th Anniversary of Philippines-China Diplomatic Relations and 20th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day organized by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) as he cited the flourishing bilateral ties between the two countries under the Duterte administration.
According to Lopez, the Philippines will be guest country of honor at the China International Fair for Investments & Trade (or CIFIT) 2021 to be held in Xiamen, Fujian on September 8-11 this year.
The Philippines will also be participating at the upcoming China International Import Expo (or CIIE) 2021 in Shanghai this coming November, he said.
Lopez invited Chinese friends and investors to visit the Philippine Pavilion at the CIFIT and to connect with Filipino exporters.
The CIIE, the world’s first import-themed national-level expo in Shanghai, started in 2018. In 2019, Philippine exhibitors booked around $300 million in sales at the 2nd CIIE, more than twice the $124 million generated in 2018. Top sellers were fresh bananas, pineapples, mangoes and durian; not to be outdone were processed fruits and nuts, and other coconut-based products.
To further boost trade with China, Lopez said that DTI has reopened the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (or PTIC) in Hong Kong last May 1. “You can now utilize DTI’s Hong Kong Office as a launch pad to enter the mainland China market, specifically through the Greater Bay Area,” said Lopez.
Lopez went on to cite China as the country’s top trading partner and one of its top investors.
“This close relationship between Philippines and China has blossomed further like a spring flower after a hard winter. Through both bounty and hardship, the Philippines and China is ready to address both the COVID-19 pandemic and the new economic opportunities available through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership,” said Lopez.