By Gliceria N. Cademia / Trade and Industry Development Specialist, DTI-EMB
Ten Philippine companies successfully exhibited their products at a recent international exposition in Vietnam, with businessmatching activities generating negotiated sales amounting to US$350,000 (P17.6 million) and potential sales of $3 million (P150.9 million).
The 10 companies joined an Outbound Business Matching Mission (OBMM) for the franchising sector and participated in the Vietnam International Retail and Franchise (VIRF) Expo 2017, at Saigon Exhibition Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 31 to June 2, 2017.
The activity was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau (DTIEMB) Services Division and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) Thailand in partnership with Philippine Franchise Association (PFA). The 10 Philippine companies received 60 serious inquiries from Vietnamese retailers, wholesalers, distributors and franchisors.
Philippine franchisors VIRF is a major venue for the retail and franchising sector which allowed Philippine franchise companies to showcase their products and services available for franchising. PTIC Commercial Attache Enrico Mariano arranged the networking activity with Ambassador Noel Servigon. Philippine franchise companies and the Philippine Business Group Vietnam (PBGV) Association shared insights and prospects of Philippine brands for promotion to Vietnam.
Franchisors exhibited their products and services in the Philippine booth in VIRF Expo 2017. Philippine brands showcased their products along with major international and national brands. The exhibition attracted the participation of 265 companies from more than 14 countries to conduct business matching and faceto-face encounter with exhibitors.
The business-matching activity was successfully conducted with a third-party organizer, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and an interpreter during the presentation and business-to- business meetings.
Philippine companies which participated included Bench of Suyen Corp., Bibingkinitan of Philippine Food Asia Corp., Canadian Tourism and Hospitality Institute, Coffee Break, K2 Drug, Oryspa, Pure Nectar, Quicklean, UFranchise and Waffle Time. •