CITEM eyes $15-M sales from Manila FAME trade show

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry’s export marketing arm Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is aiming to generate $15 million worth of sales from the March edition of the Manila FAME trade show.

“We’re looking at $15 million for (this show) this year,” CITEM executive director Rosario Virginia Gaetos told reporters on the sidelines of the 61st Manila FAME trade show which opened on Friday
and will be held until today (Monday) at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

The Manila FAME trade show held in March and October every year, serves as the country’s premier trade platform for exports and design featuring selected furniture and home furnishings, holiday gifts and décor, and fashion accessories designed and crafted here for the global market.

Through the trade show, the DTI is targeting importers, retailers as well as those engaged in the development of resorts and hotels as buyers of the featured products.

During last year’s March edition, Gaetos said $14 million worth of sales were generated, while sales at the October edition reached $25 million.

According to Gaetos, sales during the March edition are usually lower than the October edition because the first show features mostly furniture and placing orders for these products take a longer time.

For this month’s trade show, she said buyers from the country’s traditional export markets such as the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia, United Kingdom, France and Germany were present to look at the latest offerings.