Trade and Industry Updates: Bohol

DTI BOHOL GEARS FOR INTERNATIONAL FOOD EXHIBITION PHILIPPINES (IFEX)

The Partner Region Program, a component of the Asian Ethnic Food Fest (AEFF) which is now called the International Food Exhibition Philippines (IFEX Philippines) integrates food packaging systems development with CITEM’s promotion efforts, focusing on regional food products that have potential in both domestic and international markets. It harnesses the expertise and resources of various other agencies with CITEM handling the over-all management of the project.

Under the program, select food companies from the identified regions are given assistance in food packaging development/enhancement in order to make their product competitive in both domestic and international markets. Trainings and seminars are given to company owners in production and marketing-related topics to help them improve their production towards safe and quality products and equip them with knowledge in negotiating better with both local and foreign buyers. The products, in their enhanced packaging and labels, are showcased in a special setting during the International Food Exhibition or IFEX.

For this year’s edition, the Central Visayas Region (covering Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor) had been identified as the Partner Region for IFEX 2008 which will be held this coming May 16-18 at the SMEX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. The PRP program will cover nine (9) months preparation to start on September 2007 up to May of 2008. During these periods the selected food companies will have to undergo trainings and seminars on Food Packaging and Labeling, Current Good Manufacturing Practices, Brand Management, Food Process Cost Management, Marketing Management, Visual Merchandising and Negotiation Techniques. One-on-One consultancy and In-plant assessments are likewise provided by the PRP experts to these firms.

Regional Director Asteria Caberte and Provincial Director Maria Elena Arbon were instrumental in choosing Central Visayas as the partner region for this year’s edition of IFEX.

A soft launching was done for the program last September 2007 at the Bohol Tropics Resort, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. A total of 48 food companies from the Central Visayas provinces were subjected to initial screening by the PRP Team compose of experts from Center for International Trade Exposition and Mission (CITEM), Department of Science and Technology-Packaging Research and Development Center (DOST-PRDC), Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) and San Miguel Packaging Products. Of the 48 prospective firms, only 4 from Cebu, 8 for Bohol, 4 from Negros and 2 from Siquijor were selected to participate under the program.

For the Province of Bohol, the following selected food companies and their identified food product are gearing for the first time to participate in the upcoming International Food Exhibition 2008, namely: BUCAREZ Food Processing (Peanut Kisses), BQ Breadbasket (Calamay), Jojie’s Bakeshop (Caycay), Bohol Quality Pastries (Tajada), Bohol Bee Farm (Mango Spread), Candabong RIC Multipurpose Cooperative (Ginger Tea), Tienda Boholana (Mango cookie) and Tessie’s Sweets and Pastries (Broa).

Next week, the Bohol participating food firms will attend another seminar in Dumaguete which is scheduled on April 1-3 in preparation for the May IFEX activity.(ends)

posted by dtibohol @ 1:11 PM