MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) expects to open the PhilTrade Center, which is being eyed as a permanent venue to showcase the country’s exports, in September after its renovation is completed this month, an official said.
“It (PhilTrade Center) is undergoing renovation, the two pavilions. It should be finished by this month so that we can inaugurate it and therefore our exports, our non-traditional exports in particular, will now have a permanent showroom,” Trade Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio told reporters late Friday.
He said the PhilTrade Center in Pasay City can start shows for the country’s different export products by September if renovation work would be completed within this month.
Once the renovation is finished, PhilTrade Center is expected to serve as a permanent exhibition center open year-round with products to be featured in different shows every month.
Panlilio said one month can be dedicated for the garments industry, while the next could be for furniture, and the following month for Christmas decors.
He said those taking part in the shows, would not need to pay rent but will have to shoulder operating costs for maintenance of the venue such as electricity costs and janitorial services.
The PhilTrade Center which consists of nine pavilions was used as a venue for export promotions in the 1980s.
Of the nine pavilions, two are owned by the DTI, five are sitting on the property of the Philippine National Bank, while the rest are held by the Social Security System.
Through the years, the PhilTrade Center became a neglected exhibition venue though.
Panlilio said the DTI allotted P10 million for the renovation and improvements of the two pavilions. Another P3 million has also been allocated to cover the costs for air conditioning and other fixtures.
Panlilio said the government has decided to re-establish the PhilTrade Center as a permanent exhibition venue as part of the marketing and promotions strategy for the country’s exports.
“It is always important to show your products,” he said.
He noted that other neighboring countries like Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea have their own exhibition halls, so it would be beneficial for the Philippines to have its own permanent venue to promote its exports as well.
According to the National Statistics Office, the country’s merchandise exports amounted to $22.443 billion in the January to May period, up 8.4 percent from the comparable period last year.