PH Companies Showcase Finest Food Products at Paris Trade Show

Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (second from right) is joined by Minister and Consul General Aileen Mendiola-Rau (rightmost), Commercial Attaché Froilan Pamintuan (leftmost), Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions Consumer Business Department Officer-in-Charge Rowena Mendoza (second from left) and chef Beatriz Bautista Nitard (third from right) at the Philippine booth of SIAL 2018. (Paris PE photo)

PARIS 05 November 2018 – Showcasing export-competitive products amidst the country’s strengthened trade relations with Europe, 26 Philippine companies participated at the 2018 Salon International de l’Alimentation (SIAL), one of the biggest and prominent food trade shows in the world, held at the Paris Norde Villepinte from 21-25 October 2018.

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) of the Department of Trade and Industry, in cooperation with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Paris, the Philippines’ participation showcased export-competitive products amid the country’s strengthened trade relations with Europe.

Food tasting activities and a cooking demonstration were also conducted by Filipino chef Beatriz Bautista Nitard, who made creations such as French-style bibingka with macapuno balls and crema emperatriz with coconut milk and mango popper pearls.

“The participation of 26 Philippine companies in this year’s SIAL is one way to sustain strong trade relations with European countries and enter the market of African countries,” Ambassador to Paris Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro said.

“It is a great opportunity for our food products to enter the European market and to prove that Philippine export food products are of the best quality,” she added.

Fourteen companies from the Philippines joined for the first time this year, ensuring a fresh array of choices to the food trade show’s visitors.

These fourteen first-timers, together with small and medium-scale enterprises from CALABARZON and 12 returning Philippine companies to SIAL, are an indication that the Philippine food sector has a strong presence in the European market.

The Philippines is currently one of the 30 countries listed under the European Union’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP), which gives it the privilege of a special trade arrangement and incentives with European countries. END

Ambassador Lazaro talks with the delegate of one of the participating companies at SIAL 2018. (Paris PE photo)

Ambassador Lazaro (sixth from right), Consul General Mendiola-Rau (second from right), and Commercial Attaché Pamintuan (rightmost) join Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga (seventh from right) of the Regional Operations Group of Department of Trade and Industry, DTI Regional Director for Region IV-A Malou Toledo (sixth from left), Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions’ Rowena Mendoza (fourth from right) and members of the Philippine delegation, in front of the Philippine booth at the SIAL 2018 at Parc des Expositions de Paris-Nord Villepente. (Paris PE photo)

Ambassador Lazaro (sixth from left), Consul General Mendiola-Rau (second from right), and Commercial Attaché Froilan Pamintuan stand in front of the Philippine booth, together with members of the Philippine delegation at the SIAL 2018 at Parc des Expositions de Paris-Nord Villepente. (Paris PE photo)

For more information, visit www.parispe.dfa.gov.ph or http://www.facebook.com/PHinFrance/ or https://twitter.com/PHinFrance.