ASIAFOOD EXPO 2017

ASIAFOOD EXPO ( AFEX ) 2017, the International Expo on Food Processing, Packaging, and Handling Machinery, Equipment and Technology in conjunction with Foodserv Asia and Bakery Asia 2017, showcases the most comprehensive line of food machineries and equipment for the food and beverage industry with the participation of foreign and local exhibitors, showcasing the latest and top of the line products and services for your food and beverage ventures.

 Raw materials, flavors and fragrances, products, services, and business solution provider exhibitors are also present in AFEX 2017, an encounter with them during the event, can be an eye-opener for up-coming entrepreneurs, even the current ones, to level up their food enterprises. Technical product presentations, business seminars, and product demos are open for AFEX visitors' free of charge, to help them gather basic and current information on food packaging, prcessing, and product handling updates and trends.

In cooperation with partner exhibitors, AFEX supports the coffee and flair industries  through specialized competitions that will bring out the best in their line, The 4th Latte Art Throwdown, September 14, thursday, in partnership with Allegro Beverage, features art in coffee, with the best creative baristas to compete for the prize as the best artist with coffee.

While the 11th Philippine Grand Barista Cup, September 15, Friday, also in partnership Allegro Beverage, supports the coffee industry through the barista competition, by shaping up and discovering the best barista in the trade, and creating their unique concoctiond which will soon be served in cafe; lastly, September 16, Saturday, Blu Coffee Distributors presents the FINALS of their 1st Flair and Cocktail Championships, having their preliminaries in Food & Drinks Asia 2017 last week, both events are part of this one-of-a-kind flair and cocktails competition, in support to the mixology and flair tending industries, which Filipinos are getting aware with,and enjoying it specially.

ASIAFOOD EXPO - AFEX 2017 ( September 13-16, 2017 ) happening at the World Trade Center Manila, with all the exciting product displays, exhibit showcases, special activities, knowledge enrichment and technology transfer one can gain by visiting AFEX 2017 this will be a big boost to current food entreprenrurs and to the potentials as well.

By: Geraldine D. Amores

MCCI Launched to boost Malaysia-Philippines trade ties

September 6, 2017 witnesses the official launch of The Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industries Philippines (MCCI )
by the Honorable Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade & Industry of Malaysiam at The Marriot Hotel, Manila. What made it a significant affair is that MCCI is the first foreign chamber of a nation from South East Asia to be established in the Philippines.

MCCI is poised to be a potential conduit to help further boost the healthy trade between Malaysia and the Philippines which grew by almost 20% to US$2.9 billion in the first semester of the year compared to same period last year. Malaysia's total exports to the Philippines increased 12.7% to US$1.8 billion as of end June 2017 compared to the previous year while imports jumped 34.6% To US$1 billion during the same period.

MCCI President and Co-Founder Edward Ling mentioned that it was the perfect timing for the incorporation of MCCI to be carried out this year as it coincides with the Philippines being the host if this year's Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN ) Summit.

He reported that MCCI will sign three MOUs with formidable industry partners during the official launch. MOUs will be signed with The Federation of Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries. The BangsaMoro Federal Business Council in Mindanao, and Business Network International ( BNI ) Philippines. He added, " We at MCCI believe that in order to achieve success in anything that we aim for, the key is to work in harmonious cooperation with various industry leaders, fellow Chamber counterparts and to constantly strive to achieve a win - win goal with all our partners. We believe that in sharing, whether through networking, expertise or ideas, we can move mountains," he said.

MCCI Vice President and Co-Founder Eric Yam explained, " We all felt that together we could really help extend and expand trade between the two countries since we are basically Malaysians based here in the Philippines for the long haul. And opportunities of trade between these two two nations are in abundance in almost every area one can think off such as ICT, construction, building materials, palm oil, FMCG, processed Halal food, biotech, and not forgetting the potential of technology transfers to be carried out."

The Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines of the Embassy of Malaysia, HE Dato' Raszlan Abdul Rashid is the Patron for the Chamber; while MCCI's Honorary Members are Exec. Chairman of Global Movement of Moderates Foundation Dato' Dr. Nasharudin Mat Isa, Chairman and President of Philtrust Bank Dr. Jaime C. Laya, President and CEO of First United Broadcasting Corp. Mr. Philip J. Chien, and Chairman of Wallace Business Forum Mr. Peter L. Wallace.

The Founding Board of Trusties for MCCI are Edward Ling ( President ), Eric Yam ( Vice President ), Azhar Mahmood  ( Treasurer ) and Alimatar "Àlli"  Garangan 11 ( Corporate Secretary ). It has under its fold, MATRADE Commissioner Nyaee Ayup as its Trade Advisor and Amir Faizal Ahmad as its Diplomatic and Protocol Advisor

WORLD TRAVEL EXPO 2017 (YEAR 2): RIDE TO THE DAWN OF TRAVEL REVOLUTION… YOUR NEXT LEVEL OF DESTINATION

WORLD TRAVEL EXPO 2017 (YEAR 2): RIDE TO THE DAWN OF TRAVEL REVOLUTION… YOUR NEXT LEVEL OF DESTINATION

PASAY CITY, PHILIPPINES – World Travel Expo aims to be the marketing platform for the travel industry. The event will serve as a channel between the international and national tour operators, airline companies, and travel authorities.

The event is coming back on its second year with a theme of“RIDE TO THE DAWN OF TRAVEL REVOLUTION… YOUR NEXT LEVEL OF DESTINATION”that will showcase at least 245 booths of Inbound & Outbound Travel Operators, Travel Agencies, Cruise Lines, Hotel/Resorts/ Serviced Apartments Accommodations, Themed Tours, Business Travel, Travel Gears and Accessories, and many more.

The three-day Exposition will consist of workshops and activities related to travel and tourism which can provide useful and helpful information for both exhibitors and visitors. Travelers, Entrepreneurs and Individuals are encouraged to participate to score exclusive travel discounts and deals during the said 3-day event. This is to bring together destinations, tourist attractions as well as organizations and business trade relations in the field of hotels, airlines, cruise and other means of travel around the world. It commits to provide effective platform that will help the Philippines for the global tourism and its development thru a one-stop solution by promoting sales and brand awareness.

For more information about the event, check out the official website at www.worldtravelexpo.ph. For Exhibitors/Sponsorship/General inquiries, call at (+632) 579 7185, (+632) 372 4014, (+632) 921 2473; (+632) 370 1438 or E-mail at info@worldtravelexpo.ph.

About AD Asia Conventions & Exhibitions International Corp.:AD ASIA CONVENTIONS & EXHIBITIONS INTERNATIONAL CORP. (AD ASIA) advocates in championing and promoting the best local and international businesses in one powerful platform such as trade shows, conferences or even large convention groups.

Battle The Five Signs of Eye Irritation With Eye Mo specially when you are travelling

Eye Mo, a leading eye drop brand that relieves minor eye irritations, has launched their new campaign entitled " Eyeritation " which aims to educate Filipinos on the five signs of minor eye irritations: red eyes, watery eyes, sore eyes, itchy eyes, and dry eyes.

The campaign proves to be very apt for Filipinos, as many of us wants to travel and explore the world. What seems to be a harmless commute can actually affect one's eyes with things that Filipinos don't always see, such as smog, dust, pollution or smoke.

" Eye Mo can be used to combat uncomfortable eye irritations. It comes in two variants, Eye Mo Red Eyes Formula and Eye Mo Moisturizing Formula. EyeMo Red Eyes Formula contains  Tetrahydrozoline HCU for quick relief of redness and minor discomforts caused by irritants. On the other hand, Eye Mo Moisturizing Formula contains Hypromellose which lubricates and soothes the eyes, easing it from eye strain and dryness. " - Earl Jayona, Marketing Manager; LF Asia Philippines, Inc., Healthcare Division.

More and more Filipinos now consider themselves as travellers, whether they be called a tourist, or a back packer, every travelling Filipino must have the single most important travel essential in their emergency kits or even kikay kits which is Eye Mo. Eye Mo the first aid for minor Eyeritations.

To distribute Eye Mo in the Philippines, Combiphar has partnered with LF Asia Philippines, lnc., who has more than 40 years worth of success as a leading healthcare distributor.

" Combiphar produces and distributes nearly 200 high quality and affordable prescription and over the counter drugs to its consumers, including Eye Mo. Eye Mo is a trademark owned by Pharma Health Care Singapore - part of Combiphar Group of Companies. Having Eye Mo in our products portfolio as a well recognized and long trusted eye care brand in the Philippines can strengthen our mission, which is to strive for a better consumers' well being through affordable-quality products or services that promote healthy lifestyles for life to its fullness." - Weitarsa Hendarto, VP Consumer Healthcare & Wellness of Combiphar-

FOOD & DRINKS ASIA 2017 a showcase of the new - -to - market food and beverage, franchising concepts and supplies!

More than two decades of serving the Filipino food and beverage industry, and the Filipino food entrepreneurs, Food & Drinks Asia opens doors to opportunities in showcasing products and franchising options for the Filipino potential and current entrepreneurs. The industry is a multi-faceted platform of business advocacies and ideas, presenting segments of the food and beverage industry at a much wider angle, giving entrepreneurs a better perspective towards their venture to entrepreneurship.

Food & Drinks Asia 2017 ( FD 2017 ) , the International expo on specialty food, delicatessen, confectionary, beverages, beers, wines and spirits; with its incorporating events, Food Franchising, Grocery Asia 2017; running for more than two decades now, twenty-one ( 21 ) years to be exact, continue to provide all levels of food entrepreneurs a diversified showcase of food and beverage products for their options to venture with: for distribution, franchising, repackaging, or even for local production.

This year, Food & Drinks Asia launches the newest incorporating shows-- Natural Health and Organic Asia, the 1st International Expo on Natural health and Organic food products, beverages, nutraceuticals, food supplements and alternative health options for nutrition and wellness; and

Coffee & Tea Asia 2017, the International Expo on Coffee and Tea products, raw materials, product innovations, and technology; to expand focus on the wide scope of the food and beverage industry. FD 2017 exhibitions, gives entrepreneurs, current and potential, the hand to choose the type of food product or venture they opt to carry as their food enterprise.

Food & Drinks Asia also provides budding entrepreneurs with the basic skills and knowledge to open your own venture; and on-site, hands-on experience provide you with the practical discernment to identify opportunities; you may also find solutions in solving various kinds of situations that you may tackle in launching a business through our exhibitors offering business solutions and ideas.

FD 2017 also gives focus on food and beverage skills specialization, as we present

"The Annual Chefs' Showdown, an extensive culinary demonstration of professional chefs, sharing tips and tricks if their trade - September 7, 2017 ( thursday ); and

FLAIR & COCKTAILS Preliminaries - A youthful competition for flair and bar tending that oozes with zest and knacks in bar and flair techniques - September 8, 2017 ( Friday );

FOOD & DRINKS ASIA Cooking Challenge 2017, a friendly competition of aspiring chefs from various Culinary schools and training centers battling with their original gastronomic creations to get the coveted title as " Champions " for their team .  September 9, 2017 ( Saturday ).

Product demos and seminars on stage and in the seminar rooms are also being presented for free, giving you basic product knowledge and information for your choice of food venture.

To date, Food & Drinks Asia 2017,  September 7 to 10, 2017 happening at the World Trade Center Manila, is truly a food event to behold, with all the exciting product displays, exhibit showcase, special activities and knowledge enriching opportunities one can gain by visiting the event, this is a big boost to existing food entrepreneurs and to the potentials as well.

By Geraldine D. Amores

PH hosts first ASEAN Inclusive Business Summit Aims to introduce, build IB cases in the region

As the promotion of Inclusive Business (IB) remains a key deliverable of the Philippines for its chairmanship of the ASEAN 2017, the Board of Investments (BOI), the industry development and investments promotion arm of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) is hosting the ASEAN Inclusive Business (IB) Summit today (September 6) in Manila.

With the theme “Pioneering Change in the Way We Do Business”, the Summit will serve as the first high-level dialogue on IB in ASEAN. It aims at formally introducing and building the case for IB in ASEAN through exemplary models, instrumental government interventions, and regional support initiatives. The IB Summit also emphasized synergies between the private sector and the government as it gathered ASEAN Economic Ministers, Senior Officials, business champions and IB investors.

“As the ASEAN chair for 2017, the Philippines is championing the promotion of IB as a strategic measure to achieve inclusive, innovation-led growth.  With the Summit, being the very first high-level gathering in the region, we are confident that this event will be a strategic take-off point to further promote and advocate IB and deepen engagements with low-income communities and micro-entrepreneurs as business partners,” said DTI Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon Lopez.  

According to the trade chief, the ASEAN region is in a strategic position for growth, expanding from 4.5 percent in 2016 to 4.8 percent in 2017.  “Yet, over 300 million of our people across the region remain below subsistence levels.  Hence, the challenge we face today is more than just ensuring robust growth for the coming decades: it is ensuring that this growth is felt evenly across the region and within countries where inequality pervades,” Sec. Lopez said.  

“The Summit hopes to serve as an avenue to further stimulate ASEAN companies to develop IB models and integrate micro, small and medium (MSMEs) and underserved communities, making growth sustainable and inclusive for all. The discussions in the Summit will also serve as inputs on the way forward for IB in the ASEAN,” he said.

The Summit will have three panel sessions: Private Sector, Government, and Investor Panel Sessions. In the first session entitled Partnering for Competitive and Inclusive Business Models, IB companies from the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore to discuss how collaboration with external partners such as government contributed to the success of their IB models.

Selected ASEAN governments meanwhile will impart existing IB programs to sustain the IB agenda during the Government Panel Session: Enabling Inclusive Business Through Policy.

Business sustainability and impact experts will discuss IB financing support mechanisms during the Investor Panel Session: Inclusive Business Financing.

Sec. Lopez emphasized that by engaging low-income communities as partners, customers, suppliers or employees in value chains, IBs can transform communities into new markets and new sources of entrepreneurial talent. IBs go beyond philanthropy and invest in addressing the problems of the poor because it makes good business sense, according to him.

IB is emerging in ASEAN as strategies for MSME development continue to be supported by the ASEAN Member States (AMS). For instance, the ASEAN Inclusive Business Framework (AIBF) aims to strengthen enabling policy environments for IB in AMS, foster regional collaboration and intertwine ASEAN Economic Community Vision and ASEAN Socio-cultural Community vision. It further provides guidance for AMS to foster IB regionally and contribute to socio-economic goals. The framework also emphasizes the relevance and integration of IB to the Strategic Action Plan for SME Development (SAPSMED) goals, which collectively aims to strengthen MSME development. The BOI has also partnered with the ADB for an ASEAN+3 Inclusive Business Study to deepen understanding on the IB opportunities in the region. The study will be released in Q4 of 2017.

The Philippines, through BOI, has been pushing for the IB agenda since 2013 in pursuit of alleviating poverty by trickling down growth to the marginalized sector. Through accelerated advocacy and policy initiatives, the Philippines is recognized as an IB Champion in international fora. For instance, the G20 Global Platform on Inclusive Business launched the Philippine Case Study, which features motivations, institutional coordination mechanisms, and challenges that the country carries to foster IB. The Philippines also led the APEC High Level Dialogue on IB in 2015, following the joint ministerial statement to undertake more work on understanding IB in major sectors in partnership international organizations.

In line with socio-economic agenda of the administration to promote rural and value chain development toward increasing agricultural and rural enterprise productivity and rural tourism, the BOI continues to promote Inclusive Business especially in the sectors of agribusiness and tourism. This is complemented by the inclusion of IB in the 2017-2019 BOI Investment Priorities Plan, which provides fiscal incentives to IB projects in agribusiness and tourism.

“The exemplary models in the Philippines signal the strong potential of companies to create IB models. However, companies, even across ASEAN, needs to be further encouraged to disrupt business model and start doing business sustainably by integrating the poor at the core of their business operations,” Sec. Lopez concluded.  

PH promotes stronger participation of youth in ASEAN economic development; launches official network for young entrepreneurs across the region

The Philippines affirmed its continued support for heightened economic participation of youth in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the hosting of the 2nd Young Entrepreneurs Carnival (AYEC) on September 5 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the Philippine Young Entrepreneurs Association (PYEA), National Youth Commission (NYC), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), the event staged three panel discussions featuring topics ranging from the role and advantages of young entrepreneurs in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) to their success stories, best practices and business models.

With the theme “Unleash the Hero in You”, the event showcased the potential of the youth in driving economic progress in the region as modern day heroes, as they provide business solutions and adopt disruptive business models that are essential to sustaining economic growth in the integrated ASEAN Economic Community.

Furthermore, the Carnival also tackled opportunities and support services that will be needed to help the participants overcome the challenges of entrepreneurship in such basic areas as access to finance, market, leadership, technology, and partnerships.

“Youth plays an integral part in sustaining economic development in ASEAN as they leverage their youthful drive to develop new business models aided by technology. While we continue to urge traditional and upcoming businesses to adopt innovative, value-adding, and demand-driven products and services, we are also encouraging more participation of the younger generation in economic ventures,” said DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.

In line with the promotion of inclusivity across all sectors as part of the economic agenda of this year’s ASEAN chairmanship, the Carnival also served as an avenue for the official launching of the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association.

“The Philippines supports the enhancement of networking and regional linkages among young businessmen and entrepreneurs which will help them increase their access to markets, finance, mentoring, and other key support services,” said Secretary Lopez.

Meanwhile, DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado who chairs the ASEAN Committee on Business and Investment Promotion (CBIP) expressed her delight at the turnout as AYEC has become the biggest commemorative event of ASEAN’s 50th anniversary with over 2,000 local and international participants from its 10 member states and dialogue partners.

Terrado noted that the increased number of groups supporting the establishment of private sector-led regional networks is a big boost to businesses in ASEAN, especially for the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

“Regional networks such as ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association make knowledge sharing among businesses more accessible,” added Terrado.

Another highlight of the 2nd AYEC was the presentation of the 10 finalists from each ASEAN member state and the grand winners of the ASEAN Young Entrepreneur Award by the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Council.