Philippine coco water has been gaining acceptance in the global market. Our export of coconut water has increased, on the average, by 300 percent. To the United States alone, our coco water export grew by an amazing 426.75 percent from the previous year. That is from $1,326,000.00 to $4,498,000.00.
This figure may be insignificant in the general context of our total food exports, but the leap of over 400 percent in one year makes our food exporters sit up and notice. This is especially so since coco water is cheap and abundant in the country, much of it going to waste in fact from unthinking copra processors.
In the countryside, it is consumed like ordinary water in fact by the rural folks who regularly climb up a tree to chop down a few nuts. One coconut can have so many liters of this life-saving water, so imagine how many 8-oz bottles can be produced from one tree.
The Australian market has likewise registered a big leap, up by 362 percent, and we hear that our Netherlands market, though not registering a jump, remains significant.
Still on the Philippine coconut, the appeal the health benefits of our virgin coconut oil (VCO) in the global market has not diminished. Philippine VCO exports are up by 132 percent average across the globe, and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is pleased that their efforts and marketing strategies are reaping fruits.
Another commodity worth noticing is the coco sugar. Pronounced healthy and safe for use even for certified diabetics by the PCA, coco sugar is fast gaining acceptance even here at home among the health-conscious consumers who want an alternative to chemical-laden sugar alternatives. Coco sugar is now exported to the United States and Europe and Asian countries like Japan, with exports up by 92 percent.
Here at home where coco sugar is slowly gaining a foothold, the leading brand is Coco Natura. The young man behind this brand is Gerard Liu, son of noted stock broker Harry Liu. I remember seeing him tirelessly introducing and marketing the brand a couple of years back, packing boxes of Coco Natura in his car. Now, Coco Natura is highly visible on supermarket shelves, and products labeled as sugar-free proudly carry the brand in their labels. Gerard now exports Coco Natura to several countries.
It’s about time that the Philippine coconut gets the attention it deserves from the government. We have thousands of aging coconut trees across the country, and to support the emerging and traditional products, PCA has embarked on a fertilization, re-tooling and re-planting program where the old laboratories will be improved to be at par with the best in the world. Kudos to PCA administrator Euclides Forbes who heads this agency.
Firearms galore for the sport shooters and defense conscious
The Defense & Sporting Arms Show (DSAS) will again be staged by the Association of Firearms & Ammunition Dealers (AFAD) on July 19 at the SMX Convention Center. Enthusiasts of the gun sport, avid collectors and the defense-conscious will surely troop again to the exhibition halls in anticipation of another great show.
AFAD president Neri Dionisio traces the roots of the DSAS to 1990-91, at a time when the sluggish industry badly needed a shot in the arm. Sophie de los Santos, a veteran of many motor shows and other big exhibits, came to their rescue and mounted a big gun show for the association. The rest is history as the DSAS show is much awaited by aficionados who come from all corners of the archipelago to participate in the AFAD-sponsored show.
The AFAD president also cited AFAD’s advocacies through the AFAD Cares Foundation, partnering with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide educational assistance programs for dependents of PNP personnel slain or injured in the line of duty.
Their AFAD Hall of Philippine Champions gives recognition to Filipino shooters who have represented the country and won world titles in practical and precision shooting.
President Neri says that AFAD will continue to pursue legislative initiatives to enact comprehensive firearms laws and oppose gun amnesties which only encourage illegal shipments into the country where the government loses millions in taxes. The association, however, favors amnesties for licences to enable the authorities to update their records.
A quick overview of this industry shows that it contributes some $300 – $500 million to the local economy. Topping the list is Armscor which manufactures, imports and exports firearms and ammunition to some 60 countries across the globe and giving employment to some 1,200 here at home. Among the importers, expect the Nashe Enterprises booth in the upcoming gun show to once again pack the crowds in. Can’t wait for this show!
Philippine franchising is on a roll
Also coming up is the annual expo of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) on July 25-27 for the international conference, and July 27-29 for the expo, with this year’s theme: “The World to Asia, Asia to the World”. Both events will be held at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia.
PFA president Elizabeth Pardo-Orbeta tells us that the Philippines is the 5th largest in Asia in terms of franchising. Overall, the standing right now in Asia goes this way: No. 1 is Korea, followed by Taiwan, China, Japan, and the Philippines. In terms of employment, the Philippines is second only to Japan which employs 12.5 million workers in the franchise industry. As of 2011, this industry gives employment to 1,023,000 of our countrymen. However, we have the most number of certified franchising executives outside of the United States. Apparently, there is a prestigious program, much like a mini MBA that professionalizes the men and women in the franchising industry. In Southeast Asia, we are an undisputed leader, and the PFA hopes to make the Philippines as an ideal headquarters for a lot of international franchises.
Last year, the association hosted the highly- successful World Franchising Council and the Asia Pacific Franchising Confederation which elevated the Philippines to a global status, enabling the country to become a global powerhouse in the franchising industry. PFA chairman emeritus Samie Lim together with the two global industry leaders signed a historic joint communiqué to promote franchising as an effective tool to jumpstart the global economy.
The Philippines is an important gateway for international franchises, apparently because these foreign entities regard us as a cosmopolitan market through which they can test the Asian market.
This year’s franchising show will also feature the incubation center where the country’s newest franchisors will showcase their products and services for the first time to see if they are indeed “franchisable”. For students, it is a golden opportunity to check out their new concepts and see how acceptable they are and how they can be accepted in the mainstream of the franchise industry.
Everything will be there under one roof. It’s a great way to spend a productive weekend.
Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.
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