Held at the Paris Nord Villepinte, SIAL Paris is regarded as one of the biggest and prominent food trade shows in the world.

It is considered as a crossroad of world agri-business supply and demand and a springboard for food companies. In 2016, the biennial food trade event housed 7,020 exhibitors from 109 countries and welcomed 155,766 visitors from 194 countries.

Led by the Center for International Trade and Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the Philippine delegation is set to feature the country’s export-competitive products amid the Philippines’ growing relations with European countries and trade privileges under the EU’s Generalized System of Preferences Plus or GSP+ scheme.

As the only Southeast Asian country under EU’s preferential scheme, the delegation seeks to leverage on the zero-tariff privileges on selected products. These includes coconut and marine products, processed fruit and prepared food.

Aside from eligible products under EU-GPS+ scheme, the national pavilion will also showcase various food selections including tuna; coco and muscovado sugar; pili products; confectionaries; instant noodles, biscuits, crackers, sandwiches, dried fruits and juices; liquor and crafted spirits; heritage rice; turmeric products; banana chips; single-origin dark chocolate, and many more.

The EU is ranked as the Philippines’ 4th largest trading partner, 3rd largest import source, and 4th largest export market.

In 2016, the Philippines’ external trade in goods with the EU states totaled to $13.713 billion or 9.7 percent share of the country’s total trade, based on data of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Exports to the EU reached $6.970 billion or 12.1 percent of the total export receipts, while imports were valued at $6.743 billion or 8 percent share to total import, resulting to a balance of trade in goods (BOT-G) surplus of $227.74 million.

Among the EU-member countries, Germany is the Philippines’ top trading partner with a total trade of $4.357 billion or 31.8 percent of EU’s total trade. Revenue from export to Germany amounted to $2.329 billion while payments for imports were worth $2.028 billion or a trade surplus of $301.32 million

Within the EU, ninety percent of EU-Philippine trade is concentrated among eight EU member-states—Germany, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and Denmark.

As of now, the Philippines is enjoying a special trade arrangement and incentives with European countries as one of the 30 countries listed under EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP).

Under the EU GSP, developing countries can export goods with reduced tariffs entering the EU to stimulate economic growth and job creation in their economies. The Philippines avail itself of the zero preferential duties on 6,274 products going to EU states.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

The executive department of the Philippine Government DTI that serves as the primary coordinative, promotive, and facilitative arm for trade, industry and investment activities. It acts as the catalyst for intensified private sector activity to accelerate and sustain economic growth through the following: a comprehensive industrial growth strategy, progressive and socially responsible programs, and policies designed for the expansion and diversification of trade, and consumer protection and empowerment.

+63.02.7510384

www.dti.gov.ph

Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM)

The export promotions arm of DTI committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting globally competitive small and medium enterprises (SMEs), exporters, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated approach to export marketing, in partnership with other government and private entities.

+632.831.2382, 832.3956, 831.2201

www.citem.gov.ph

FoodPHILIPPINES Secretariat

Tel. no.: (+63 2) 831.2137, 831.2336, 831.2201-09 locals 263 and 228
Fax no.: (+63 2) 832.3965, 834.0177
Email: info@foodphilippines.ph, RMendoza@citem.com.ph, JGenovia@citem.com.ph