Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates—”The Philippine retail sector is poised to become a global leader, ready to compete and collaborate on the international stage,” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque on November 09, in a meeting with senior executives of Spinneys, a leading UAE supermarket chain.

“Under the framework of President Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda, the DTI is opening doors for Filipino brands to achieve international recognition and drive export-led growth for a stronger Philippine economy,” the trade chief added.

A key focus of the meeting was increasing the presence of Philippine products in Spinneys’ supermarkets. Secretary Roque reaffirmed the DTI’s commitment to introducing Spinneys to qualified small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are ready to export to the Middle East market. This initiative aims to bring a wider variety of high-quality Philippine goods to UAE consumers.

The DTI emphasized the importance of partnerships with key players in the retail industry like Spinneys, recognizing their role in driving innovation, creating jobs, and providing consumers with a wide array of high-quality products and services.

The meeting also highlighted company’s commitment to its employees, as demonstrated by its comprehensive training programs and career development opportunities that contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the retail sector.   

Moreover, the DTI and Spinneys discussed potential initiatives to further enhance the retail sector, including knowledge-sharing programs, industry events, and collaborative projects focused on innovation and sustainability. Both organizations expressed their commitment to working together to achieve shared goals for the growth and development of the sector.

Additionally, the DTI expressed its support for Spinneys’ growth strategy, which includes expanding its online shopping platform and enhancing its product offerings.

“The DTI is committed to fostering a thriving retail sector in the UAE. Our engagement with Spinneys underscores this commitment and highlights the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors,” stated Secretary Roque.

“We believe that by working together, we can promote Philippine SMEs, enhance the retail experience, and contribute to the economic growth of both the Philippines and the UAE,” the DTI chief further expressed.

Secretary Roque was accompanied by Special Envoy Kathryna Pimentel, Special Envoy Karen Santos, Consul General Arvic Arevalo, Vice Consul Regatta Antonio-Escutin, and Trade Commissioner Vichael Roaring. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer Sunil Sekharan and Operations Manager Elmira Pelovello represented Spinneys. Spinneys offers a wide range of high-quality grocery products, including fresh produce, meat, seafood, dairy, bakery items, organic products, and international food brands. The company is committed to providing its customers with a superior shopping experience and, is dedicated to supporting the growth and development of the UAE’s retail sector. ♦

Date of release: 30 November 2024

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