DTI to hold business mission in US, Mexico

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to hold an outbound business matching mission (OBMM) in Mexico and the US next year as it aims to increase trade with the two countries.

DTI said its Export Marketing Bureau and the Philippine Trade and Investment Centers in Mexico and Los Angeles in California are conducting an OBMM focused on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) from March 28 until April 7 next year.

The mission will include participation in Latin America’s biggest food and supermarket show called Expo ANTAD and Alimentaria in Guadalajara City in Mexico.

Slated to be held on March 31 until April 2 next year, the expo will have participants engaged in distribution of food products such as importers, distributors, retailers, supermarket stores, department stores and specialty stores, as well those in the food service sector like restaurants, hotels, industrial canteens and cruise ship suppliers.

It will also feature FMCGs like personal care products, houseworks and wearables.

There will likewise be business matching activities in Mexico City and Los Angeles, California.

DTI sees the event as a good opportunity to explore the potential of the Latin American market.

Last year, exhibitors met not just buyers from Mexico, but also from other Latin American countries like Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Panama, as well as from California and Florida in the US.

Next year’s OBMM and participation in the expo would be the second for the Philippines as it held a mission and took part in the same expo this year.

Philippine participants of this year’s expo are Chat Noir Co. Inc. (Don Papa Rum), Republic Biscuit Corp., Monde M.Y. San, Nattural Quality Corp., See’s International, Business People, Nutribiz International Inc., McCormick, Potato Corner and the Filipino Food Movement.

Last year, Mexico was the Philippines’ 26th major trading partner out of 222, 15th export market out of 213, and 41st import supplier out of 198.

Total bilateral trade between Mexico and the Philippines reached $756.81 million last year.

Meanwhile, total two way trade of goods between the Philippines and the US reached $21.3 billion in 2018, based on data from the Office of the US Trade Representative.