By Kathleen Bondoc / Office of the Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotion Group Department of Trade and Industry

The Philippines, through its Department of Trade and Industry’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-Citem), highlighted top Asean food brands during the International Food Exhibition Philippines (Ifex) at the World Trade Center and Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City from May 19 to 21.

Dubbed as Taste Asean, the 11th edition of Ifex Philippines highlighted the leading food products and ingredients from 10 Asean countries with their dynamic and visually enticing food presentations of native and iconic delicacies. The exhibit also featured the contribution of Southeast Asia to the vibrant global food market.

With Asean’s focus on inclusive growth, the DTI noted the Philippines’s efforts in helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in accessing global markets through trade exhibitions, such as Ifex Philippines.

“More than just a trade show, Ifex served as a trade platform for MSMEs to meet with trade buyers and potential partners. We also aim to further position the Philippines as part of a region that produces high-quality food products for consumers around the world,” DTI Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotion and Asean Committee on Business and Investment Promotion Chairman Nora K. Terrado said.

Set at the exhibition’s International Hall, Taste Asean, with its 21 exhibitors, featured tropical fruits, vegetables, fresh and processed seafood, sauces and condiments and other food products that continue to bring Asean brands to the global market.

A side from the 10 A sean member-states, partners and exhibitors, from the European Union, China, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey also participated in the event.

Tagged as Asia’s ethnic food and ingredients show, Taste Asean@Ifex is among the business events developed by the DTI under the Asean Committee on Business and Investment Promotion an interagency commit-tee created to assist the Asean-National Organizing Council. It developed events and activities that complement and reinforce the country’s priority deliverables for Asean 2017, highlighting the promotion of inclusive, innovation-led growth.

The Philippines chairs the Asean Summit this year. •