Philippine exporters reaped more than $1.5 billion in export sales through efforts of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) to promote Philippine products and services, particularly those produced by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), for export to the global market, the Department of Trade and Industry has reported.
According to the DTI, CITEM which serves as the agency’s export promotion arm, has assisted more than 2000 export-ready companies through these cohesive projects and programs, with exporters generating $1.534 billion in reported export sales.
The DTI attached agency also facilitated over 32,000 trade inquiries from more than 6000 local and international buyers worldwide.
Meanwhile, the agency’s lead generation websites successfully onboarded 1,102 companies, attracting over 330,000 unique users and generating nearly one million unique page views.
Taglay Pinoy
In just a few months after its launch, Taglay Pinoy, a content creation program that helps Filipino businesses compete in the digital landscape has digitally onboarded 61 local MSMEs from Marikina, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Leyte and Cavite.
Designed to improve local MSMEs’ market reach and competitiveness, Taglay Pinoy is a content creation program for select beneficiaries in home, fashion and lifestyle. This initiative will continue next year covering more industries such as the local food scene and the creative industries.
Export market access
Further, in 2024, CITEM provided export market access to Philippine companies through its signature events and participation in select overseas trade fairs.
Being the country’s export promotion authority, CITEM mounted three international signature events in the physical format last year, namely, the International Food Exhibition Philippines; CREATEPhilippines X MIPAM and Manila FAME.
With CITEM at the helm and in collaboration with partners in both public and private sectors, the Philippines achieved increased exposure in the global export arena.
These included Maison & Objet in Paris, France; Ambiente in Frankfurt, Germany; Gulfood in Dubai, UAE; Hong Kong Trade Development Council Food Expo Pro and CentreStage HK in Hong Kong, China; the Tokyo International Gift Show and FINOPINAS in Tokyo, Japan; Malaysia International Halal Showcase in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, China; Salon International de l’Alimentation International Food Show in Paris, France; and China International Import Expo in Shanghai, China.
Global markets access
“CITEM continues to empower MSMEs by ensuring seamless access to global markets through the agency’s online platforms, enabling them to leverage digital promotion, content marketing and business lead generation,” the DTI said.
“Digital trade community platforms maintained by the agency include fameplus.com, ifexconnect.com, createphilippines.com and sustainability.ph,” added the agency.
