The Philippines is preparing to participate in the upcoming China International Import Expo in Shanghai in November 2018, after the Chinese organizers opened more booths to accommodate Filipino exporters.
International Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine chairman Francis Chua said the Chinese government considered the Philippines petition for additional space, as the Philippines worked hard in promoting the expo to all major cities in the country.
“I think we have good spaces for the booths. We can promote well Philippine products and we’re hoping we’ll land contracts for our products. China is the world’s biggest market. It will be needing a great deal of supply and we can deliver them”•from agricultural products to electronics and consumer goods,” Chua said over the weekend.
China Commerce Minister Zhong Shan also assured that more space would be allocated for Philippine exhibitors as a demonstration of China’s commitment to “make new progress” in the bilateral relations.
Zhong said CIIE demonstrated China’s firm support for trade liberalization and globalization.
Chua said in addition to seven booths, the Philippines would also have 348 square meters in the food hall, plus 45 sqm in the consumer goods hall, all located in an open space set-up, for a total of 393 sqm.
About 30 Philippine companies already paid for the registration. The Trade Department earlier said it was looking at about 100 participants in the expo, but news spread that only two booths were made available for the Philippines.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez then wrote a letter to Zhong to help Filipino exporters acquire more space to promote Philippine products.
The import expo in November 2018 is the first sellers event where China will open its market to possible import arrangements for goods needed by the 1.38 billion Chinese population.
Chinese companies will participate as buyers and not as sellers during the expo.
The focus will mainly be on importation of goods and services by China, with six exhibitions areas featuring trade in goods that include high-end intelligent equipment; consumer electronics and appliances; automobile; apparel, accessories and consumer goods; food and agricultural products; medical equipment and medical care products.