Members of the Philippine Delegation in the Franchising and Business Opportunities Expo in Melbourne, Australia. (L-R): Ms. Zorayda Cruz (Avocadoria), Ms. Mary Rose San Diego (PFA), Ms. Christine Ancheta (Avocadoria), Mr. Walther Buenavista and Ms. Patricia Buenavista (Shawarma Shack), Ms. Emery Castro and Mr. Ferdinand Dayao (The Cabalen Group), Ms. Sherill Quintana (Oryspa), Ms. Alma Argayoso (Philippine Trade and Investment Center – Sydney), Mr. Rayan Romasanta (Avocadoria), Ms. Cristina Montinola (BENCH/), Mr. Ervin Andaya (Shawarma Shack), Ms. Felma Larano and Mr. Miguel Aman (Miguelitos Ice Cream), Ms. Czarina Sevilla (Avocadoria), Ms. Heizle Trasmañas and Ms. Arselyn Palad (DTI – Export Marketing Bureau) and Ms. Katrina Jagto (Avocadoria)

Melbourne, Australia—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) spearheaded a groundbreaking initiative, leading six dynamic Filipino brands to their first-ever participation in the 2024 Franchising and Business Opportunities Expo. This debut resulted in actual and potential export sales amounting to USD 20.6 million.

The delegation, comprised of Avocadoria, BENCH/, The Cabalen Group, Miguelitos Ice Cream, Oryspa, and Shawarma Shack; captivated attendees from Australia (Victoria and New South Wales), Pakistan, Singapore, and Philippines—securing over 100 trade leads.

Building on this success, the DTI partnered with the Philippine Australia Business Hub to host the business forum titled “Philippine Brands Going Global: Franchise Opportunities for Australian and Overseas Filipino Investors” at the Pan Pacific Hotel Melbourne on August 19.

The forum showcased the brands’ franchise packages, facilitated business-to-business (B2B) meetings, and fostered significant networking sessions.

“We are thrilled to see Philippine brands gaining momentum in the Australian market. “This growing recognition is a testament to the quality and innovation that Filipino businesses bring to the table, and it sets the stage for a ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ where our enterprises thrive on the global stage,” said DTI Acting Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque.

“There are many more Philippine franchise brands with great potential in international markets. We will continue to open more doors for more Filipino enterprises to explore franchising as a key strategy for international expansion,” the trade chief added.

Meanwhile, Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) delegation head, Ms. Sherill Quintana of Oryspa, emphasized the PFA’s commitment to expanding homegrown internationally to create businesses and jobs for the country.

“The B2B and the Franchising Opportunities and Expo in Melbourne proved to be a great opportunity for our participating brands to scale up and level up our offerings to fit the Australian market,” said Ms. Quintana.

“This synergy is a catalyst as well to encourage the Filipino diaspora to invest in the Philippines through franchising by adopting a Filipino brand. Activities such as this, motivate more to believe that truly, the Filipino brand is world class,” she added.

This initiative was realized through the collaborative efforts of the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Sydney, with support from the Tatak Pinoy Program, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., and the PFA. ♦

Date of release: 18 September 2024

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