A Culinary Journey: Announcing the 2024 National Food Fair

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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is thrilled to announce the highly-anticipated 2024 DTI-Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair, happening from July 3 to 7, 2024!

The 5-day National Food Fair, billed as the Philippine Cuisine and Ingredients Show, will be held at Megatrade Halls 1-3, 5th Level, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. With its loyal foodie following, the fair presents an opportunity to embark on a delicious adventure and discover the rich tapestry of Filipino flavors.

A Decade of Celebrating Filipino Food

Now in its 10th year, the National Food Fair is organized by the DTI Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and OTOP (BMDPO) — formerly the Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) — in collaboration with the DTI Regional and Provincial Offices. It serves as a premier platform for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the food and beverage industry, a sector that forms nearly half of all MSMEs in the Philippines.

Witnessing a triumphant comeback after a pandemic-induced hiatus in 2020, last year's event generated over Php 28-million in sales for almost 300 participating MSMEs, showcasing the resilience of Filipino food businesses.

A Bounty of Flavors Awaits

Food enthusiasts can expect a diverse selection of products from all regions of the Philippines, highlighting the country's rich culinary heritage. Here's a glimpse of what you'll find:

• Fresh produce: From vibrant fruits to crisp vegetables, discover the best of Filipino agriculture.

• Processed and frozen delights: Stock your pantry with delicious and convenient food options.

• Regional specialties: Embark on a flavor trip across the Philippines with unique cooked and organic dishes.

• Snack time favorites: Explore an array of delectable snacks and native delicacies.

• Culinary building blocks: Find unique ingredients and condiments to elevate your home cooking.

• Beverages galore: Quench your thirst with Philippine coffee, refreshing fruit wines, and other beverages.

• Health and wellness products: Discover food options that promote a healthy lifestyle.

A Feast for the Senses with Daily Doses of Inspiration

Beyond the culinary creations that await food enthusiasts at the physical fair, there will be special settings to showcase priority industry clusters or sectors, such as:

• The Coconut Industry Pavilion and Coconut-Based MSME Cluster

• RAPID Growth Project Pavilion

• Fresh Produce Pavilion

• KAPEtirya or Philippine Coffee Pavilion

• Philippine Island Wine, Beer, and Juice Bar

• Kusinang Filipino (Filipino Kitchen)

The event will also feature booths by various government agencies and private sector partners who support the growth of MSMEs.

A daily program of activities has been lined up to provide inspiration and upskilling for food-preneurs and home cooks alike. Following the opening ceremonies on July 3rd, a program of exciting activities will be open to the public throughout the fair. These include:

• Cooking demonstrations by renowned chefs, offering valuable culinary insights.

• Business talks and workshops designed to equip MSMEs with valuable skills and knowledge.

Participation is free, both on-site and via livestream on the National Food Fair's social media channels. More details will be announced shortly.

Join the DTI-BMDPO Events

Aspiring entrepreneurs can join future DTI-BMDPO fairs through their local DTI Office. They may also reach out to the Bureau of Market Development, Promotions & OTOP by sending an email to Director Marievic Bonoan at BDTP@dti.gov.ph. Stay updated by following them on Facebook (@BDTP), Twitter (@DTI_BDTP), Instagram (@dti.bdtp), YouTube (@DTI.BDTP), and TikTok (@dti.bdtp).

Get ready for a delightful food adventure at the 2024 National Food Fair!

Shopee and the Department of Trade and Industry partners for the 3rd ASEAN Online Sale

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Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launched its third ASEAN Online Sale Day in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR) last August 8 to 10. This annual sale celebrated the 55th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by showcasing different local and regional products on Shopee’s platform. Over the last three years, the ASEAN Online Sale has consistently offered users a wide range of quality products from across the region to offer users an enjoyable online shopping experience.

Shopee’s continued partnership with the DTI for the third iteration of the ASEAN Online Sale is a testament to both organizations’ commitment to make quality products even more accessible for users all over the Philippines. Throughout the duration of the sale, Filipinos were able to conveniently shop for their favorite Southeast Asian products on Shopee.

Marievic M. Bonoan, Director at the DTI - Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, said, “The DTI is happy to partner with Shopee once again for the ASEAN Online Sale Day to support our goal of driving e-commerce forward in the Philippines. We are humbled to have connected even more buyers with quality products through Shopee’s platform. We will continue to craft even more projects and initiatives that will push for e-commerce growth across the country.”

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, shared, “Through our partnership with the DTI for the ASEAN Online Sale, we strengthen our commitment to transcend borders and make online shopping more accessible and convenient for our users. We are thrilled to offer our users quality products from all over the region. We look forward to maximizing our platform’s reach to deliver an even better online shopping experience for all.”

During this year’s campaign, Shopee users enjoyed discounts of up to 90% off and exclusive vouchers on a wide assortment of products from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Fuller and sweeter offer at Robinsons Supermarket

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Life is sweeter and fuller at Robinsons Supermarket as it offers lower-priced sugar and rice. White sugar is priced at P50 per kilo while brown sugar is sold at P45 per kilo. This is lower than the prevailing sugar prices in Metro Manila which ranges at P60 per kilo for white sugar and P48 per kilo for brown sugar. 

Shoppers can also buy rice at only P34-P39 per kilo. These price reductions are a welcome initiative supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration as they have been encouraging retailers to provide Filipinos with more reasonable options.

“We thank the Robinsons Group for quickly offering to support the government’s Presyong Risonable Dapat program that can bring cheaper rice and sugar to all their outlets nationwide. This would make our kababayans happier as they will surely have easy access to these better-priced basic products,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

This is not the first time that the supermarket lowered the price of basic commodities. Last September, Robinsons Supermarket and URSUMCO also reduced the price of sugar. This lower price on sugar is available in all Robinsons Supermarket and Easymart stores nationwide, while the special price for rice is currently available in 88 stores throughout Luzon.

Reasonably-priced rice and sugar. “Rice and sugar are staples in one’s grocery cart. Robinsons Supermarket is proud to support DTI’s initiative to provide reasonably-priced sugar to Filipinos,” said Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Robinsons Supermarket president & CEO. Joining her are (from left): JG Summit CEO Lance Gokongwei, Pure Rice Milling and Processing Corp., president Jojo Soliman, and DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

(From left): JG Summit president and CEO Lance Gokongwei, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica, Philippine Sugar Millers Association, Inc. deputy director for Legal Affairs Cocoy Barrera, Sugar Regulatory Deputy Administrator Rolex Beltran, DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez; Robinsons Supermarket president and CEO Robina Gokongwei-Pe, URC Sugar and Renewables vice-president and general manager Rene Cabati, and Pure Rice Milling and Processing Corp. president Jojo Soliman. 

Global, PH Design Leaders at Int’l Design Conference 2018

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Local and foreign design rock stars, change makers and industry leaders are participating in the International Design Conference (IDC) 2018 on September 21 at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura. 

Theme of the conference is Dangerous Ideas: Unleashing Design Leadership. Organized by the Design Center of the Philippines, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the one-day event will seek to outline the different ways to make ideas that are nothing short of dangerous the norm in a world of hyper-change. 

Keynote speakers include Quotient Design Research founder Michael Barry and Aidea, Inc. president and chief executive officer Abelardo “Jojo” M. Tolentino, Jr. 

Barry, an engineer and product designer, will contextualize craftsmanship in the wake of Industrialization 4.0 that makes more digitization and mechanized fabrication more and more sophisticated. With his artistry rooted firmly in Philippine culture, Tolentino will discuss his journey as a homegrown talent. 

He will also share the secret that enabled Aidea to become the first and only Philippine architectural firm included in Building Design’s World Architecture100, a ranking of the top firms in the world. Aidea is ranked 47th. 

Launched in 2017, the International Design Conference embodies the ethos of Design Center – to nurture a strong community of creative and act as a catalyst for the design community to thrive. 

For more information, visit https://designcenter.ph/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DTI.DesignCenterPH/. 

Holcim Pledges Steady Cement Supply, Innovations For Build, Build, Build

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Top officials of building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. recently met with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez to share the company’s initiatives to better support the government in upgrading the country’s infrastructure through stable supply of quality cement nationwide.

Holcim Philippines Chairman Tomas Alcantara, President and CEO John Stull and Senior Vice President for Sales William Sumalinog personally expressed the company’s willingness to further build up its production capacities in light of the increased cement demand driven by the government’s massive infrastructure investments. They also assured the DTI compliance to product standards to ensure highest quality and performance.

Holcim Philippines officials assure Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) their commitment to stable cement supply for the country’s building boom during a courtesy visit to Secretary Ramon M. Lopez on 24 August 2018. From left are Holcim Philippines Senior Vice President for Sales William C. Sumalinog, Chairman Tomas I. Alcantara, DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and Holcim President and CEO John Stull.

“DTI has implemented new initiatives and policies to encourage investments to create more employment opportunities, and at the same time support the government’s plans for progress. I am happy to hear Holcim’s commitment to implement cement capacity expansion to ensure that our infrastructure and construction requirements will be well supported and generate additional employment,” Lopez said.

Holcim Philippines is currently implementing projects that will raise its cement capacity nationwide to 12 million metric tons by 2019 from the current 10 million metric tons. The Company is studying further investments on additional clinker lines with the construction sector expected to sustain its strong growth amid the healthy economy.

“The Company recognizes the strong potential of the Philippine market and is committed to continue being a partner in its progress as seen by our efforts to improve operations and competitiveness,” said Alcantara.

For his part, Stull noted that the Company has been rolling out new technologies and approaches that enable local builders to deliver projects within deadlines and budgets. A key focus is blended cements that are not as energy intensive to produce but deliver superior results for building.

“Our Company supports the DTI’s drive to maintain the high standards for cement which is critical especially at this time of high construction activity. We also want to reassure them that Holcim Philippines can be counted upon to provide the market not just with high-quality cement, but innovative construction solutions that help the country build better with certainty,” he said.