Do not go gentle into that good night, old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light, though wise men at their end know dark is right, because their words had forked no lightning they, do not go gentle into that good night.
Sustainable, balanced growth in food, beverage industry eyed at IFEX Philippines
Participants attend the Sustainability Solutions Exchange Exhibition and Conference at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Manila, Thursday. Courtesy of Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions
By Jhoo Dong-chan
The most notable feature of this year’s International Food, Beverage and Ingredients Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines was its co-hosting with the Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX) Exhibition and Conference, a platform in the country aiming to empower and prioritize environmental and social responsibility in the food sector and other essential industries.
Both events were hosted and organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an export promotion government agency under the Southeast Asian country’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
According to the CITEM Monday, the SSX Exhibition and Conference was held at the Philippine Trade Training Center, running from Thursday to Saturday, and featured industry panels discussing balanced and sustainable growth in the food and beverage industry.
This year’s event was highlighted by the launch of the Green Economy Platform, a digital information hub for sustainability stakeholders. This is the latest initiative of the European Union-Philippines partnership toward the country’s efforts to progress to a circular economy, the government agency added.
CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo also urged a balanced growth between conglomerates and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during her welcome address on the opening day.
“We will continue to develop strategies to reach wider markets, lead product development initiatives and implement programs for capacity-building and assistance in market entry certifications to help SMEs reach their full potential,” Ocampo said.
Philippines’ DTI Secretary Cristina Roque agreed.
“SMEs are the backbone of the country’s economy,” Roque said. “Efforts like the IFEX Philippines continue to evolve to enable them toward more robust and sustainable economic opportunities.”
During the event, participating exhibitors were able to showcase their products and business plans via the IFEX Philippines’ 24/7 digital storefront platform IFEXConnect. The DTI launched a similar program called the “Bagong Pilipinas Marketplace,” which works as a business-to-business e-commerce platform, especially for SMEs in local and international markets.
This year’s event had not only booth sectors for traders or potential buyers but also industry insiders in sustainability — the FOODPhilippines Hall, International Zone and MarketPlace, as well as Sustainability Hall.
Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque speaks during her opening remarks for the International Food, Beverage and Ingredients Exhibition Philippines at the Exhibition Halls of the World Trade Center Metro in the capital city of Manila, Thursday. Courtesy of Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions