UBM to Take Food Ingredients Asia Show to the Philippines

Currently the Philippine food industry contributes 40% of the country's GDP, and 2010 export revenue is forecast at $4 billion. The sector is also the leading industry group employing over 144,000 workers - 15.3 percent of the workforce.

8 Jun 2010 --- The first Food Ingredients Asia show ever held in the Philippines will give the domestic food industry greater access to much needed ingredients and technology from around the world. The three day business-to-business event will also be a banquet of opportunity for international food manufacturers who will attend from all over the world. Organised by UBM, the show is set to run in Manila on 11-13 May 2011.

Currently the Philippine food industry contributes 40% of the country's GDP, and 2010 export revenue is forecast at $4 billion. The sector is also the leading industry group employing over 144,000 workers - 15.3 percent of the workforce.

"Ingredients consumption in the Philippines has risen dramatically with a 30% volume increase in 2009 alone," said Michiel Kruse, Managing Director of UBM Asia (Thailand). "This emphasizes the Philippine markets rising affluence and new awareness of nutritional issues and high-value additives," he said. "All good news for international manufacturers."

Mr Marty Panganiban, President of the Philippine Association of Food Technologists (PAFT) - the umbrella organisation of all Food Technologists in the Philippines and is affiliated with FOSTAT, IFT and IUFOST, expressed his appreciation in cooperation with Fi Asia Philippines and UBM. Fi Asia Philippines will be co-located with the 50th Convention of PAFT, a conference that regularly attracts hundreds of food professionals.

"Our convention focuses on better nutrition and health awareness as well as advances in functional ingredients, food safety and technology," said Mr Panganiban. "The Philippine market needs to improve to reach its goal of greater global participation," he said.

Also affirming appreciation of the co-located conference and exhibition was the Vice Chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers (PCFM) Maria Cecilia R Dela Paz. The PCFM counts amongst its members industry giants like Del Monte Philippines, Dole Philippines, General Milling Corp., RFM Corp and Universal Robina Corp.

The Fi Asia series of shows is part of UBM's global food ingredients portfolio that includes 80,000 attendees. South East Asia is the focus of the series which helps manufacturers, distributors and equipment suppliers reach their markets. The exhibition has served the region for 15 years.

Fi Asia 2009 held in Bangkok, Thailand attracted 209 exhibitors from 29 countries. There were over 6,000 trade visitors from 45 countries.